Fourth-generation MiG-31 supersonic fighter crashes in Russia

A MiG-31 fighter jet of the Russian Aerospace Forces has crashed. The incident took place in the Murmansk region.

Here's What We Know

Several videos shot by local residents have been published on social networks. The videos show the burning MiG-31 fighter trying unsuccessfully to level off. Eventually, the pilot lost control and the plane went down near the town of Monchegorsk.

The Russian defence ministry has confirmed that the fighter plane crashed during a training flight. According to the ministry, the plane crashed in an uninhabited area and the pilots were able to eject.

The MiG-31 is a fourth-generation supersonic fighter developed in the 1970s. The aircraft is based on the MiG-25 and was put into service in the spring of 1981.

The fighter can reach speeds of 3100 km/h (M=2.8) at high altitude and 1500 km/h (M=1.25) at low altitude. Cruising subsonic speed is 950 km/h (M=0.9) and supersonic speed is 2500-2800 km/h (M=2.3-2.55).

The MiG-31 has a practical range of up to 1450 without refueling and additional fuel tanks. Combat radius is 720 km. The aircraft can remain in the air for more than 3 hours. Practical ceiling is 30 km. The fighter is capable of carrying R-33, R-40T, R-60 and R-60M missiles.