New Details Emerge on Russian Su-25 Crash: Possible Friendly Fire Incident

New footage confirms the loss of a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft in an apparent aviation incident and provides details that suggest possible causes of the crash.

The video was shared on Russian Telegram channels.

While the footage does not allow for a definitive conclusion, several plausible explanations can be drawn from the available material.

One possibility is that the Su-25 was accidentally struck by another Su-25 flying behind it, which launched unguided rockets in close proximity.

One of the missiles may have hit the wing of the lead aircraft. Although the warhead may not have detonated due to the short distance, the impact could have structurally weakened the wing, leading to its failure during a subsequent maneuver.

However, the footage captures the rockets being fired to the left of the aircraft, while the right wing appears to detach. The camera angle may distort the distance perception, so this theory remains under consideration.

A second potential explanation involves a malfunctioning rocket, which failed to launch properly and exploded, causing the crash.

This hypothesis is supported by the visible cloud of white smoke when the wing detaches. Alternatively, the smoke may have been caused by aviation fuel released after the aircraft’s fuselage was breached.

A third possible cause is structural failure due to prolonged use or a manufacturing defect.

This is supported by the timing of the wing’s detachment, which happened during a turn, when the aircraft’s wings are under the greatest stress.

The age and heavy operational use of Russian Su-25s, many of which are over 40 years old, have led to a number of non-combat losses. During the war in Ukraine, many Su-25s have been lost due to technical failures rather than enemy action.

In March 2025, a Su-25 crashed during a training flight in Primorsky Krai after both engines failed in mid-air. The video also confirms that the pilot ejected before the crash.

The incident reportedly took place near the city of Soledar in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.