Watch: Military Bomber Plunges Into Apartment Complex, Leaving Fiery Pillar of Destruction
A Russian military aircraft crashed into a residential apartment building in the southern city of Yeysk on Monday, in Russia’s Krasnodar territory.
Russian media outlet Interfax reported that the two pilots of an Su-34 fighter-bomber jet aircraft ejected before the crash, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.
A crash site photo from Russian state media outlet RT showed a parachutist descending to the earth as a residential apartment building exploded.
Russian Su-34 fighter jet crashes into residential house in Yeisk
A major fire has broken out in the Russian city of Yeysk after a military Su-34 multipurpose fighter jet crashed outside a residential building. pic.twitter.com/ECeNi20AFB
— RT (@RT_com) October 17, 2022
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that an engine failure had led to the aircraft’s crash in a populated urban area shortly after its takeoff for a training flight.
“On Oct. 17, 2022, the Su-34 aircraft crashed while taking off from a military airfield of the Southern Military District for a practice flight. The aircraft fell in the town of Yeysk,” the Russian military claimed in a statement provided to Interfax.
“The ejected pilots reported that the ignition of one of the engines during the takeoff was behind the crash.”
Purported footage of the crash’s aftermath showed a fiery inferno that posed an immediate danger to civilians.
🚨#Ейск. Детонация боеприпасов…Вот такой вот, учебно-тренировочный полет… pic.twitter.com/zlqBtclA8e
— Типичный Донецк (@typicaldonetsk) October 17, 2022
More photography and video showed an explosion that appears gravely threatening to life.
❗️ In #Russia, a Su-34 military aircraft crashed on a residential building in #Yeysk (#Krasnodar region).
The pilot managed to eject. His parachute is clearly visible in the first picture.
At least 15 apartments were damaged, according to Ministry of Emergency Situations. pic.twitter.com/v82QUo6KhA
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 17, 2022
One video even appeared to show locals questioning the plane’s ejected pilot.
A video with the pilot of the crashed Su-34 in #Yeysk
The pilot was conscious after the crash, but he could not get up and take off his parachute.
The pilot’s conversation with eyewitnesses:
– Everything is fine?
– Yes
– It was shot down, right?
– No
– Let me help you. pic.twitter.com/uSSh2uq9A0— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 17, 2022
Initial Russian state media reports cited by Al Jazeera indicated that four people were killed in the crash, with 19 injured.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the Investigative Committee of Russia announced a criminal investigation has been opened into the crash, with military investigators seeking to understand the cause of the event.
The Su-34 has been used extensively in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Yeysk is across the Sea of Azov from Mariupol, a Ukrainian city that has hosted some of the most intense combat in the war.
Russian invasion forces captured the city from its besieged defenders in May.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
