Developments are coming thick and fast from the Russian-Ukraine conflict. The latest is that a Russian MiG-31 turned into flames while attempting a takeoff from an airbase in Crimea.
The Belbek military airport was the site of the disaster. Eyewitnesses say that there was smoke and fire on the runway, and it was not a site to behold for the Russians. Allegedly the fighter jet was shot down, slid down a slope, and exploded. Luckily, the pilot was able to save himself by timely ejecting himself. The video of the incident went viral after initially being shared on telegram.
The pro-Russian governor of the city of Sevastopol, Mikhail Raswosschajew, called on the people through his telegram channel and advised caution. He also hinted at an emergency.
However, a little later, the governor declared that the “partial ammunition explosion” was caused by the crash itself. The silver lining for the Russians was that the airfield was not damaged, nor was the pilot hurt. Unfortunately, the authorities did not share information about the cause of the accident and details of the plane involved in the crash landing.
Sattelite images of the Belbek airfield show parked MiG-31s, only Mi-26 helicopters, and a Tupolev Tu-134 airliner. Therefore, the analysts think the machine in question could be a MiG-31 fighter jet.
The MiG-31 is considered the penultimate Russian fighter jet. The Russian fleet has been steadily upgraded since MiGs’ induction in the 1980s. As a result, the Russian airforce boasts approx. 100 MiGs in its fleet.