A Russian Su-30 multirole fighter jet crashed during a routine training flight in northwestern Russia on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of both pilots on board, according to official statements.

The incident occurred in the Prionezhsky District of the Republic of Karelia, a region bordering Finland. Artur Parfenchikov, the Governor of Karelia, confirmed the crash on his official Telegram channel, stating that the aircraft did not fall on any residential areas.

The Russian Ministry of Defense later issued a statement identifying the aircraft as a Su-30 and confirming the fatalities. "The crew of the fighter jet died," the ministry said, adding that a commission has been dispatched to the site to investigate the cause of the crash. While the official cause is yet to be determined, initial reports from Russian state-affiliated news agencies suggest a possible technical malfunction may have led to the disaster.

The names of the deceased pilots have not been released pending notification of their families.

The Su-30 crash is the latest in a string of aviation accidents for the Russian military in recent weeks.

On October 10, a MiG-31 fighter jet crashed in Russia's Lipetsk region. In that incident, both crew members successfully ejected and survived.

Just a week prior, on October 3, an An-2 light transport plane crashed in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia.

These incidents have drawn increased scrutiny to the maintenance schedules and operational tempo of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which have been heavily engaged in the war in Ukraine. The Su-30 is a sophisticated, twin-engine, two-seat aircraft that forms a significant part of Russia's fighter fleet, capable of air superiority and ground attack missions.

As the investigation into the Su-30 crash in Karelia begins, questions remain about the factors contributing to this fatal incident. The crash site has been cordoned off by emergency services, and recovery operations are underway. (ILKHA)