A Russian military plane crashed yesterday in the Rostov region, near the border with Ukraine.

The pilot died, the press service of the Southern Military District reported, quoted by AFP.

"A Su-25 plane crashed on June 21 in the Rostov region during a planned training flight. The pilot died," the source was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

"According to preliminary information, the cause of the incident may be a technical malfunction. A commission of the Russian military and space forces is working on the site," the authorities said.

The pilot was the only person on board, according to Interfax.

Authorities do not mention the case in connection with Russia's ongoing military offensive in Ukraine.

The Su-25 is an armored Soviet-made attack aircraft.

On June 17, another such plane crashed during a training flight in the Belgorod region, which also borders Ukraine.

The military said at the time that the cause could be a technical problem.

In recent months, Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine of striking Russian territory in border areas, adds BTA.

Russian plane