Russian MiG-31 crashed in Kamchatka

4 July, 2023 Russian MiG-31 interceptor with tail number 05 (blue), RF-92445.

2012. Russia. Photo from open sources

A ?iG-31 interceptor of the Russian Aerospace Forces crashed in Kamchatka. Russian media report that the interceptor disappeared during a training flight and did not carry ammunition. Search and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene of the accident.

The fate of the crew is unknown. A search and rescue team of the Pacific Fleet is conducting a rescue operation. Information about the exact site of the incident, casualties among the crew, destruction, or causes of the accident has not yet been reported in Russia.

Russian MiG-31 interceptor with the tail number 50 (red). Russia, 2021. Photo from open sources

This is not the first accident with the Russian MiG-31 in 2023.

In April, a MiG-31 interceptor from the 98th Separate Mixed Aviation Regiment of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy crashed in the Murmansk region. During the flight, a large fire occurred on the fighter plane, which led to the crash of the aircraft. Also in January, one of the Russian fighter jets caught fire as a result of a compressor stall during a combat mission in Belarus.

It was then reported that this was not the first such episode.

Modified MiG-31K interceptor (tail number "92 red") with a Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile.

2018. Photo credits: Russian media

The reason for the turbojet engine compressor stall may be an exhausted resource or ingress of excess objects into the air duct. Russia is also using the MiG-31 two-seat supersonic high-altitude all-weather long-range interceptor fighter jet in the war against Ukraine.

MiG-31 is the main carrier of the Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile.