Russian conscript crashes airport truck into SU‑25 in Crimea
According to Ukrainian media citing reports from Russia, unprecedented scenes took place at the Russian airport in Simferopol, Crimea. A Russian man driving a truck rammed a Su-25SM3 attack aircraft, "completely disabling it." The damages were estimated at several million dollars.
The incident was first reported by the Russian channel WCzK-OGPU on Telegram, which has sources close to security services. Platforms such as NEXTA share information about the event at the airport in Simferopol on Ukrainian social media.
Accident at the airport in Simferopol
According to the disclosed information, the Russian truck driver did not exercise proper caution and exceeded the safe speed for moving around the airport, colliding with the attack aircraft being towed by another truck. It was specified that it was a Su-25SM3, which was "completely disabled."
4 million dollars in damages
As Igor Sushko, an American activist of Ukrainian descent, adds, the entire incident was supposedly caused by Aleksandr Jerlich, a Russian conscript who did not even have a driver's license.
The damages were initially estimated at 4 million dollars. The unfortunate driver was reportedly fined and sentenced to one year of imprisonment.
According to WCzK-OGPU, the loss of each Su-25SM3 is significant as not many reserve planes are stationed in Simferopol. The accident, which should not have happened, therefore, limits the capabilities of the Russian units stationed there.
The Su-25SM3, developed by United Aircraft Corporation, is the latest and most advanced upgrade of the Su-25, which appears much more frequently over Ukraine. The Su-25SM3 is an attack aircraft with several significant enhancements compared to the Su-25. These include modernized targeting and navigation systems, the SOLT-25 optoelectronic station, and the Vitebsk-25 active defense system. The Su-25SM3 is also adapted to carry newer types of armament and operate at altitudes exceeding 33,000 feet.
