A video showing the crash of a Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 Foxhound fighter was shared by the Telegram channel Fighterbomber, run by a person involved with the Russian Air Force.
The whole scene was filmed by another Russian aircraft, more than likely a second MiG-31, the wingman of the aircraft in question.
The video captures the MiG-31 aircraft experiencing a serious engine failure, leading to a significant fire onboard. It is worth noting that the aircraft’s landing gear is extended, hinting that it might have just taken off.
The two crewmembers onboard the aircraft can be seen ejecting. The video concludes as the aircraft begins to descend and eventually crashes into the mountains.
Not much is known about the incident, other than it reportedly took place in Russia’s Far East region prior to February 24, 2022, which marked the commencement of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both crewmembers survived and were rescued, according to Fighterbomber.
A recurring issue?
Another MiG-31 crashed in similar conditions in the Murmansk Oblast on April 26, 2023. The aircraft was carrying out a routine training flight when it caught fire. The jet crashed into Lake Imandra, piercing through the ice of the frozen lake.
Three more accidental crashes of a MiG-31 were recorded since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- On April 8, 2022, a MiG-31 crashed during a training flight near Torkovichi, Leningrad region, Russia.
- On October 1, 2022, a MiG-31 crashed while landing at Belbek Air Base, Crimea.
- On December 2, 2022, a MiG-31 crashed in Primorsky Krai, in the Far East region of Russia.
Second only to the Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat in speed, the Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound entered service as a supersonic interceptor in 1981. The maximum takeoff weight of 46 tons allows it to carry a substantial array of weapons. A number of MiG-31 were modified into the MiG-31K variant, turning the fighter into an attack aircraft capable of launching the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile.