Latest Russian Su-25 Jet Probably Shot Down By 2nd Russian Su-25

The latest Russian Su-25 fighter jet shot down over Ukraine was probably hit accidentally by its wing man who fired missiles too close to the lead jet,  hitting it and structurally weakening a wing. 

Russia has now lost half the workhorse Su-25s it had before it started the war. JL

Dmytro Shumlianskyi reports in Militarnyi:

New footage confirms a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft accidentally struck by another Su-25 flying behind it, which launched rockets in close proximity. One of the missiles may have hit the wing of the lead aircraft. Although the warhead may not have detonated due to the short distance, the impact could have weakened the wing, leading to its failure during a subsequent maneuver. The age and heavy use of Russian Su-25s, many of which are over 40 years old, have led to many non-combat losses. During the war in Ukraine, many Su-25s have been lost due to technical failures rather than enemy action.  It was the 39th confirmed Russian Su-25 loss of the war and it further reduced an Su-25 force that had 200 airframes but now may have just 100 or fewer

New footage confirms the loss of a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft in an apparent aviation incident and provides details that suggest possible causes of the crash.

The video was shared on Russian Telegram channels.

While the footage does not allow for a definitive conclusion, several plausible explanations can be drawn from the available material.

One possibility is that the Su-25 was accidentally struck by another Su-25 flying behind it, which launched unguided rockets in close proximity.

 

One of the missiles may have hit the wing of the lead aircraft. Although the warhead may not have detonated due to the short distance, the impact could have structurally weakened the wing, leading to its failure during a subsequent maneuver.

However, the footage captures the rockets being fired to the left of the aircraft, while the right wing appears to detach. The camera angle may distort the distance perception, so this theory remains under consideration.

A second potential explanation involves a malfunctioning rocket, which failed to launch properly and exploded, causing the crash.

This hypothesis is supported by the visible cloud of white smoke when the wing detaches. Alternatively, the smoke may have been caused by aviation fuel released after the aircraft’s fuselage was breached.

A third possible cause is structural failure due to prolonged use or a manufacturing defect.

A Russian pilot ejected from the Su-25 on June 13, 2025. Screenshot from the video

This is supported by the timing of the wing’s detachment, which happened during a turn, when the aircraft’s wings are under the greatest stress.

The age and heavy operational use of Russian Su-25s, many of which are over 40 years old, have led to a number of non-combat losses. During the war in Ukraine, many Su-25s have been lost due to technical failures rather than enemy action.

In March 2025, a Su-25 crashed during a training flight in Primorsky Krai after both engines failed in mid-air. The video also confirms that the pilot ejected before the crash. It was the 39th confirmed Russian Su-25 loss of the wider war—and it further reduced an Su-25 force that had nearly 200 airframes prior to the war, but now may have just 100 or fewer once you add attrition from accidents and fatigue.

 

The incident reportedly took place near the city of Soledar in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.