Two Russian Su-34 Jets Collide Twice, Land Safely

Two Russian Su-34 fighter jets collided twice during a training flight over the Over Russian City of Lipetsk today but landed safely although the aircraft were heavily damaged

During a training flight in the Lipetsk region, two Su-34 fighter bomber planes collided, the Russian news media outlet REN-TV reported.

According to reports, the warplanes made contact with one another in the air due to a loss of visual contact.

“The leader aircraft hit the wingman with the end of the wing by the cockpit; while trying to turn their jets away, they collided again. At the same time, debris got into the engine of one of the planes,” REN-TV  said quoting sources on the ground.

Both aircraft managed to land successfully and no-one was injured. However, the cabin, engine and fuselage of one of the planes were damaged. The wingtip was ripped off the other, which contained equipment that was part of its electronic countermeasures system.

Reports in other media said it was a miracle that the jets managed to land back despite colliding twice. 

The Su-34 jets are used mainly as bombers and have been utilized extensively during the Syrian conflict.