Russian Air Force MiG-31 Crash

A Russian Air Force MiG-31 crashed near Monchegorsk in the Murmansk region during a training flight, coming down in Lake Imandra away from populated areas. Russian authorities said both crew members ejected and were recovered safely and that the aircraft was not carrying weapons. The MiG-31 is a long-range supersonic interceptor built to patrol Russia's northern approaches, and Monchegorsk hosts one of the regiments covering the Kola Peninsula, an area central to the country's air defence and to the basing of the Northern Fleet. An investigation into the cause of the accident was opened.