A Russian Su-30-series fighter jet went down in the Republic of Karelia on November 13, resulting in the deaths of both aircrew members.
Reports from Russian Telegram channels SHOT and 112 indicate that the aircraft crashed in a densely wooded area near Petrozavodsk, close to the city’s main civilian airport. The jet—described as a twin-seat combat aircraft—was flying over the Prionezhsky district when it suddenly lost altitude. According to SHOT, the pilots were “unable to eject,” and rescue teams are currently securing the crash site. 112 added that the aircraft fell shortly after takeoff, though the circumstances of the incident remain unclear.
Some early reports suggested that the aircraft may actually have been a Su-27, noting that the exact model has yet to be officially confirmed. Russian authorities have not released a formal statement regarding the crash.
The incident occurred near the Besovets air base, home to the 159th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment under the 105th Mixed Aviation Division of Russia’s Western Military District. The unit operates both Su-27 and Su-30SM fighters and is responsible for air defense missions across the region. Although the regiment has received newer aircraft in recent years, older models are still active within the fleet.
Initial information indicates that the wreckage was located without any damage to nearby infrastructure or civilian property.
The Su-30SM, one of Russia’s main multirole fighters, is equipped with thrust-vectoring engines, modern radar systems, and a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, including R-77 and R-73 missiles.
Earlier in May 2025, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Agency reported the first known case of a maritime drone downing a military aircraft, when a Magura V5 sea drone destroyed a Russian Su-30 near Novorossiysk.
