Former Russian General Dies as his Su-25 Jet Shot Down in Ukraine

A retired Russian general was killed when his Su-25 fighter was shot down in Ukraine in late May.

On June 2, fellow servicemen bid adieu to retired Major General of Aviation (since 2012) Kanamat Botashev, topcor.ru reported. When Russia began its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine, Botashev volunteered to defend Russia's interests in the airspace of Ukraine. Details of how he died have now become known.

On May 24, the general was at the helm of the Su-25 in the Donbass, performing the assigned combat mission of destroying designated targets in the Popasnaya area in the Lugansk region. During the mission, he received information that the superior forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine blocked one of the assault groups of the RF Armed Forces.

Russian military personnel requested air support. The pilot decided to help the fighters in a difficult situation by flying his jet to the area. At the same time, he knew for sure that the Ukrainian forces had a large number of air defense systems there.

At an ultra-low altitude, being under heavy fire from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he struck at the enemy. While he was trying to leave the area, his Su-25 was shot down by enemy missiles.