WilshireRussian Telegram channels report a Russian aircraft crash near Mariupol. According to them, the aircraft was shot down by Russian air defense.
TheMusicalFruitCouldn’t these pilots lie about a mechanical emergency to justify a route change, then get low and fast until they are safely inside Ukraine? What would the ideal processes be to defect with an aircraft like this that can go Mach 1+ at sea level? I’m legitimately asking, I don’t know much about military aviation.
I also wonder how they would get out of Russia and into Ukraine without being shot down by Ukraine, if they weren’t aware of what you were doing. I’d imagine the most dangerous part of the flight would be the front line areas where Ukraine and Russian air defense both would be targeting you?
It can be done by good communications with Ukraine and a prearranged landing point, as was the case with that helicopter. Even then, very dangerous for all involved.