Russian aircraft crashes into Azov sea, pilot killed

A Russian Su-25 military aircraft crashed into the Sea of Azov on Monday, local officials have said. The pilot managed to eject to safety and was recovered by a search and rescue team, but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

Footage circulating online purports to show the plane crashing into the sea immediately offshore, with locals watching the incident from the beach. The plane appeared to steadily lose altitude, evidently having suffered engine failure, with its pilot ejecting moments before the aircraft plunged into the water.

Another video from the scene shows a search and rescue helicopter circling the crash site. The pilot was brought ashore by the rescuers. However, he ultimately died of his injuries, the head of Yeysk District, Roman Bublik, has confirmed.

The accident was acknowledged by the Russian military, with the Southern Military District revealing it occurred during a training flight. Preliminary assessment indicated the crash had been caused by engine cutoff.

Su-25 close air support planes have seen extensive action in the Ukraine conflict, being used by both sides. In February, a Russian Su-25 crashed due to a technical malfunction in the country’s southwestern Belgorod Region. The plane went down in an unpopulated area, resulting in no damage or casualties on the ground. Its pilot, however, was killed.