MOSCOW, June 18 (AVN) - Several search and rescue groups started operating at the crash site of two SU-25 Frogfoot attack planes near the Itum-Kale village in Chechnya on Monday, Deputy Air Force Commander Colonel General Vladimir Mikhailov told the Military News Agency.
The remains of senior pilot Captain Oleg Podsitkov, who was identified by personal belongings, service gun and other features, have been removed to Khankala. Investigators dismantled the plane's black boxes and navigation equipment and started examining them. The devices are hoped to be of assistance in finding out the reasons of the crash soon, Mikhailov said.
Speaking about the second pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Yakimenko, and his plane, the situation is more complicated there. Its crash site was found but it is impossible to be reached due to rough terrain in the area. The place is abundant with shapr hills, deep gorges and thick forest.
There are enough federal units in the area to guarantee safety of rescuers, Mikhailov said. He noted that he had personally known the pilots and characterised them as high-class professionals who had accomplished various missions of the federal command many times.