Russian fighter aircraft has met with an accident.
A Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber crashed on July 1, 2025, during a scheduled training flight in the Nizhny Novgorod region, approximately 300 kilometers east of Moscow. The crash was caused by a mechanical failure involving the release system of one of the landing gear struts [1][2][3].
The Su-34, a modern, twin-seat strike aircraft primarily used for ground attack missions, is a significant element of Russia's military operations [4]. This incident marks at least the third Su-34 crash in just over a year, with previous accidents in North Ossetia and the Volgograd region, indicating ongoing operational risks for Russia's tactical bomber fleet [1][4][5].
The crash occurred near the Savasleyka airbase, a key training and testing site that hosts various interceptor aircraft and reportedly some Su-series jets. Although the Russian Ministry of Defense classified the flight as routine training, there is speculation that the aircraft could have been involved in air defense operations [4].
The Su-34's capability to fire cruise missiles, rockets, and drop glide bombs makes it a potential threat in military conflicts. However, the loss of this aircraft, which costs nearly $15 million, alongside incidents of other Russian jets being shot down, may strain Russia’s aerial offensive and defense capabilities [1][4][5].
The crash resulted in no reported damages on the ground, and both crew members survived, ejecting safely into an uninhabited area [1][2][3]. Just last week, two Su-34 fighter jets were reportedly destroyed at a military airport in the Volgograd region by Ukraine, and two more were reportedly damaged at the same location [6].
These repeated crashes and losses highlight potential issues with aircraft maintenance, pilot training, or operational stress amid the ongoing conflict. The incident underscores the challenges Russia faces in maintaining the readiness and safety of its air fleet during protracted military operations [1][4][5].
- The recent crash of a Su-34 fighter-bomber in the Nizhny Novgorod region raises concerns about the safety and maintenance of Russia's aerospace industry, specifically in the finance-intensive sector of military operations.
- The third Su-34 crash in a year, occurring near the Savasleyka airbase, emphasizes the importance of ensuring the reliability of equipment, such as the landing gear release system, particularly in the general-news and finance sectors.
- The ongoing series of accidents involving the Su-34 and other Russian jets, coupled with incidents like the recent destruction by Ukraine, underscores the necessity for addressing maintenance issues and potential operational risks within the finance and aerospace industries.
