Ukrainian Air Force says Su-24M bomber crashes in Khmelnytskyi region, crew killed

A Ukrainian Su-24M bomber has crashed in the Khmelnytskyi region, killing both crew members on board, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Tuesday.

According to the military, the aircraft went down while carrying out a mission in the western Ukrainian region. The victims were identified as Major Bohdan Zaharulko and Senior Lieutenant Bohdan Babenko.

Rescue teams and law enforcement officers are working at the crash site, while an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the incident.

“The causes and circumstances of the aviation accident are being established,” the Air Force said in a statement.

The Su-24M is a modernised supersonic frontline bomber designed to conduct air strikes against ground and surface targets in all weather conditions. The aircraft is equipped with upgraded navigation and targeting systems, can be refuelled in flight, and is capable of carrying a wide range of guided munitions and air-to-surface missiles. It can carry a payload of up to eight tonnes.