A Russian military plane crashed into the sea Thursday off the port of Sevastopol in Crimea, the governor of the Russian-occupied region said, quoted by Reuters.
Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jetPhoto: RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia
Authorities said the pilot ejected safely and was picked up by rescuers. Civilian targets were not damaged, said the governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvojayev.
The regional transport department stated that maritime passenger transport was temporarily suspended in the area.
Earlier, Russian Telegram channels announced that a Russian Su-35 fighter jet crashed near Sevastopol. Other sources said it would be a Su-27 plane.
It is not yet clear what caused the incident, and the official from Sevastopol did not elaborate on this issue, Russian press agencies write.
Crimea has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks in recent times.
According to Ukrainian sources, the Russian air force suffered heavy losses in late February and March, losing at least ten fighter jets, including Su-34 bombers, Su-35 fighter jets and a rare A-50 military spy plane .
