A camera on board a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot close air support jet captured a rare footage showing the final moments of the aircraft after it was hit by a Russian missile during a combat sortie. 

The loss of a Ukrainian Su-25. The aircraft was hit by an R-37 missile; the responsibility likely lies with either a MiG-31BM or a Su-35S fighter, as these are the types that typically patrol with such long-range missiles. The pilot lost his life during the action. Blue skies to… pic.twitter.com/lNXZPuzHXS

— Zsiguli🇭🇺 (@GZsgallos2007) January 27, 2026

Telegram user Fighterbomber who uploaded the video on Wednesday said the footage was taken on February 7, 2024. The aircraft was piloted by 30-year-old Vladislav “Magic” Rykov.

While the Ukrainian side has not disclosed the exact location of Rykov’s loss, a Russian Ministry of Defense briefing reported that a Ukrainian Su-25 was destroyed on the same date near the settlement of Novotroitske in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Rykov, a veteran of 385 combat missions with the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade, was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Russian reports claim his jet was shot down by a Su-35 fighter.

The footage follows a previous viral video of a Russian Su-25SM pilot ejecting over Ukraine.

Russian pilot ejects over Ukraine, helmet cam catches the whole thing pic.twitter.com/lblcSmIgkG

— Insane Reality Leaks (@InsaneReality) July 2, 2023