Putin hit with £33m blow as two military jets go down

Two Russian military planes went down in separate crashes, killing crew members and causing an estimated £33 million loss, according to The Mirror.

One crash involved an An-26 transport aircraft over occupied Crimea, resulting in heavy casualties.

According to The Mirror, all 29 people on board were killed, including 23 passengers and six crew members.

Fatal crash

“The search and rescue group found the crash site of the An-26 aircraft. According to a report from the scene, six crew members and 23 passengers on board were killed,” said a defence ministry statement.

Rescue teams reached the wreckage in difficult terrain, with reports suggesting the aircraft struck rocks or a cliff.

According to The Mirror, officials said there were “no signs of a destructive impact on board”, indicating a possible technical malfunction.

However, Ukrainian sources cited by the outlet suggested it may have been “friendly fire”.

Unofficial reports placed the crash near Belbek Valley, close to a key military airbase near Sevastopol.

Second jet lost

A second aircraft, a Su-34 fighter-bomber valued at around £30 million, was also lost in a separate incident, The Mirror reported.

The jet reportedly went down while engaging Ukrainian drones.

According to The Mirror, the pilot was killed, while there was no immediate confirmation about the navigator.

The location of this crash has not been disclosed.

Mounting losses

The An-26 involved in the first crash is an ageing aircraft that has been in service since the 1960s.

According to The Mirror, authorities have not specified the roles of the personnel on board.

The incidents add to a growing list of aviation losses for Russia during the conflict.

Russia is believed to have lost hundreds of aircraft, including planes and helicopters, during the war, The Mirror reported.

Sources: The Mirror

This article is made and published by August M, who may have used AI in the preparation