The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that at 20:10 on 25 March, a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-27 fighter jet disappeared from radar above the Black Sea. The incident occurred approximately 50km from Feodosia, Crimea.
According to an MoD statement: ‘An emergency radio beacon was activated in the area at 20:11… Adverse weather conditions in the area complicate the search for the pilot.’
The Russian Air Force dispatched an An-26 aircraft and an Mi-8 helicopter from the Southern Military District to the area to conduct a SAR mission.
The Black Sea Navy has also deployed a corvette to search for the wreckage.
Su-27
Mi-8/Mi-17
An-26