On March 24, 2025, a Su-25 military aircraft crashed in Primorsky Krai during a planned training flight, marking a troubling incident in Russian military aviation. Fortunately, the pilot narrowly escaped danger by ejecting safely before the plane hit the ground, a fortunate turn of events that avoided disaster.
The flight was reportedly conducted without ammunition, and the crash occurred in a deserted area, sparing any ground casualties or destruction. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), there are no threats to the pilot's life or health, who was promptly located and rescued by a search and rescue team dispatched to the site.
“The flight was performed without ammunition. The plane fell in a deserted area, with no destruction on the ground,” stated a representative from the Russian Ministry of Defense, highlighting the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The preliminary cause of the crash is suspected to be a technical malfunction, prompting the MoD to deploy a commission from the Russian Aerospace Forces to investigate the circumstances of this unfortunate event.
This incident marks the second significant aviation mishap involving military aircraft in recent days. Just a week prior, on March 18, 2025, a Mi-28 helicopter tragically crashed in the Leningrad region, resulting in the loss of both pilots on board. The helicopter accident has raised concerns about safety protocols and maintenance within the military aviation sector.
“Preliminary information suggests the cause of the incident was technical malfunction,” further stated the MoD, underlining the need for a thorough examination of the technical aspects of military aircraft operations.
The Su-25, known as the “Grach,” is a Soviet-designed attack aircraft that has been in operation since 1981. It is primarily used for providing frontline support to ground troops, engaging both stationary and moving ground targets, as well as small-sized air targets. The aircraft is heavily armored and has a single-crew configuration.
“The Su-25 is intended for direct support of ground troops on the battlefield with direct visual contact with the target, as well as for the destruction of moving and stationary ground targets with specified coordinates and small-sized air targets,” explains the MoD, which identifies the aircraft's critical role in military operations.
Various modifications of the Su-25 are not only utilized by Russia but are also part of the inventory of several other countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. Additionally, several nations such as North Korea, Iraq, Peru, and Angola also operate versions of this aircraft.
The crash is particularly concerning as it follows a disturbing trend of aviation incidents involving military aircraft. In July 2023, another Su-25 plunged into the Sea of Azov during a training exercise, one in which the pilot ejected but ultimately succumbed to injuries shortly thereafter. Additionally, a Su-25 crashed in Georgia in the summer of 2024 during planned exercises, resulting in the unfortunate death of the aviation commander of the Defense Forces, Kahaber Zurabashvili.
The recent string of mishaps with military aircraft serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with military operations and the importance of rigorous safety protocols. With investigations underway, authorities will need to ascertain the specific causes behind these incidents to prevent future occurrences.
As the MoD continues to assess the technical malfunctions and their implications for military aviation, the focus remains firmly on ensuring the safety of pilots and reinforcing maintenance standards across the board. The successful ejection of the Su-25 pilot this week reflects positively on rescue capabilities, yet underscores the pressing need for enhancements in equipment reliability in order to safeguard lives.
The aftermath of this crash and the investigations that follow will be crucial in shaping the future operational policies and technical standards of military aviation in Russia, as officials aim to uphold the integrity of their air operations while ensuring the safety of their personnel.
