The ministry said the aircraft was returning to its base airfield in the Belgorod region after completing a combat mission. The combat vehicle fell in a deserted area, there is no damage to the ground, the RF Ministry of Defense reported.
According to preliminary data, the cause of the disaster was a technical malfunction, according to the report.
Belgorod authorities had previously reported a military plane crash near Valuyki. An investigation team and employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are working on the scene. It was noted that the pilot might have time to eject.
TASS, citing doctors, writes that the body of the deceased pilot was found, he was alone on the plane. A military helicopter arrived to transport him.
