Whoops, Red Star shoots down a Red Star

On 22 September 2020, a Russian Federation - Aerospace Forces (RF VKS) Su-30SM crashed during a training flight. According to multiple sources, the Su-30SM was accidentally shot down by a Su-35S during an air combat manoeuvring exercise over the Tver region.

The Su-30 belonged to the Western Military District. Both pilots were able to eject safely and their proud jet crashed in a forest. The latter did not resulted in any causalties on the ground, nor damage to infrastructures.

It is reported that the pilot of the Su-35S activated its gun that was by coincidence loaded with real ammunition. The aircraft just returned from combat duty (possible removed from Quick Reaction Alert) and was sent to non-combat / training operations. The missiles of the Su-35S were removed but as a mistake by ground-crew the jets GSh-301 gun was not discharged.

Scramble Magazine is awaiting more info about the details of the homebase of the Su-30SM.