Kathrine Frich
Miraculously, the downed pilot survived, according to Russian military sources.
Miraculously, the downed pilot survived, according to Russian military sources.
Russian Jet Blows Up Its Own
Russia’s air force is reeling after a shocking friendly fire incident saw one of its own SU-25 fighter jets destroyed mid-air, by a fellow Russian pilot.
The $19 Million aircraft was reduced to a fireball near Soledar in occupied Donetsk.
The Botched Mission Caught on Camera
Video footage captured the exact moment two Russian SU-25s soared across the horizon.
Then, in a blink, one jet launched a missile that struck its wingman, sending the plane into flames and a fatal nosedive.
The footage quickly spread across social media, amplifying Russia’s embarrassment.
Pilot Survives, But Russia’s Pride Takes the Hit
Miraculously, the downed pilot survived, according to Russian military sources. But the damage to morale and credibility was harder to salvage.
Officials confirmed there was no evidence of enemy fire, making this a humiliating case of self-destruction.
$19 Million Up in Smoke
The SU-25, a workhorse of the Russian air fleet, isn’t cheap.
Priced at up to $19 million USD per aircraft, this latest loss adds to a growing list of destroyed Russian assets, and public frustration over military blunders.
Russia’s SU-25 Woes Mount
This isn’t the first time an SU-25 has met a grim end.
The aircraft has suffered from repeated crashes due to technical failures.
In just the last two years, jets have plunged into the Sea of Azov, crashed on takeoff, and gone down during routine flights, raising major questions about their reliability.
Russian Air Force Losing Grip?
With 39 SU-25s now lost, Russia’s air force is under fire, both figuratively and, in this case, literally.
Critics say the incident exposes critical flaws in coordination, training, and aircraft maintenance as the war grinds on.
Friendly Fire: A Pattern of Chaos?
While one misfire could be written off as human error, this incident is part of a wider narrative of disarray in Russian ranks.
Poor communications, outdated equipment, and overworked pilots are painting a grim picture of Russia’s aerial capabilities.
A Propaganda Nightmare for the Kremlin
For Vladimir Putin, the fallout is not just military, it’s political.
Video evidence of Russian jets shooting each other down provides ready-made ammunition for critics at home and abroad, as Russia tries to maintain an image of strength.