Russian fighter jet crashes into lake after bursting into flames in latest humiliation for Putin

A RUSSIAN fighter jet burst into flames and crashed in the latest humiliation for Vladimir Putin’s creaking and crumbling military forces.

The MiG-31 Foxhound warplane reportedly caught fire before plunging into a lake in the Murmansk region of Russia.

“During the execution of a planned flight, one of the engines of the MiG-31 caught fire, after which it fell. According to preliminary data, the plane crashed into the lake,” a source told Tass.

“The pilots probably ejected. Eyewitnesses say they saw two paratroopers in the crash area.”

The crash occurred six miles from the city of Monchegorsk near the island of Rizh-Guba – some 200 miles from the border with Finland.

In a statement, the Russian defence ministry said: “On April 26, while performing a planned training flight in the Murmansk region, a MiG-31 fighter crashed. The plane crashed in a deserted place.

“Both pilots ejected. The pilots were promptly evacuated by a helicopter of the search and rescue service, nothing threatens their lives and health.”