Tragic Incident: Two Russian Pilots Lose Lives in Sukhoi Su-30 Crash in Karelia

A Russian military jet crashed in the northwestern republic of Karelia on Thursday, resulting in the death of both crew members, according to military and local officials.

The incident occurred during a training flight involving a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry. An official statement indicated that the aircraft “went down in an uninhabited area” and confirmed it was not carrying any live ammunition.

The crash took place at approximately 7 p.m. local time in the Prionezhsky district, close to Lake Lososinskoe, according to the Telegram news outlet Baza, which is believed to have ties to Russian law enforcement. There were no reported injuries among civilians due to the incident.

On Thursday evening, Artur Parfenchikov, the head of the Karelia region, shared his condolences via Telegram for the families and friends of the two pilots, who were members of the 159th Fighter Aviation Regiment.

Parfenchikov mentioned that emergency services were dispatched to the accident site and assured that the government would offer “the necessary support” to the pilots’ relatives.

The aircraft from the 159th Fighter Aviation Regiment is responsible for patrolling the border between Russia and Finland and plays a significant role in the air defense of the region.