Pilots of crashed MiG-29 fighter found in satisfactory condition

Search party have found pilots of the MiG-29 fighter jet that crashed in the Astrakhan region, Southern Russia, earlier on Thursday. Their condition is satisfactory, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry said.

A source in the region’s emergencies services earlier confirmed to TASS that the pilots were found.

"Both pilots, successfully ejecting from the MiG-29 jet, have been found by a search and rescue team of the airdrome. According to reports from the site, the pilots are in satisfactory condition," the ministry said.

"The pilots are currently being evacuated to the Air Force training centre in the Astrakhan region," the ministry added.

The MiG-29 fighter jet crashed in south Russia’s at around 2 p.m. (1100GMT) while on a regular training flight near the Ashuluk range. According to the ministry, the crashed jet was flying without ammunition load and caused no destruction on the ground.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking source in the Russian Air Force main headquarters told TASS that "by the order of the Air Force commander-in-chief the MiG-29 fighter flights are suspended until the causes of today’s crash are investigated.".