Russian Su-35 Accidentally Shoots Down New Su-30SM Jet During Exercises - Reports

A Su-30SM ‘4+ generation’ heavyweight fighter crashed in Russia’s Tver Region on September 22nd during military exercises, and according to Russian sources may have been shot down accidentally during the drills. A source in the region’s emergency services was quoted by Russian news outlet TASS stating the following: "According to preliminary data, the Su-30 was accidentally hit during the drills by another aircraft.” Other unverified sources have indicated that the aircraft was accidentally shot down by a Su-35 heavyweight fighter during the exercises. It remains unconfirmed, however, whether the Su-30 was downed by a kinetic means at all - with the possibility of a technical malfunction remaining. Su-30 jets in the Russian Air Force have consistently had very low crash rates, however, meaning the possibility that there was indeed an accidental shoot down should not be discounted. The Su-35 and Su-30SM are both currently in mass production in Russia to fulfil both domestic and export orders, and while initially distinct the two programs have come to increasingly resemble one another with the Su-30 integrating a growing number of Su-35 technologies including its AL-41 engines and in future very likely its Irbis-E radar and R-37M missiles. The possibility that the two jets will be merged into a single program for more efficient production under Russia’s next State Armaments Plan from 2027 is thought to be significant.