Russian Fighter Jet Crashes in Karelia

A Russian Su-27UB fighter jet has crashed in the Karelia Republic, northeast of Russia in the early hours of Thursday. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense both pilots ejected safely and a search is on for the crew. The plane crashed in the village of Besovets and no injuries or damage on the ground has been reported. Local media reports suggest that a bird caused the crash after being ingested into one of the aircraft’s two AL-31 turbofan engines. “Also, it is possible one of the flight control systems failed,” an unnamed official was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti. The report also added that ‘more precise preliminary information as to the cause of the incident is likely to be received in the next two days after an investigation’. “The aircraft, which was on a routine weather check flight, was unarmed when it crashed,” Defense Ministry Spokesman Colonel Igor Konashenkov said.