THIS is the dramatic moment a low-flying £11million Russian attack plane explodes after being shot out of the skies by Ukrainian troops.
Footage shows the SU-25 jet swooping low near the village of Zaitsevo, Donetsk region, when it is struck by a Ukrainian missile.
The flight path suddenly changes and the plane plummets down towards the ground.
The aircraft is engulfed by an enormous fireball that ripples through the air, and thick black smoke billows hundreds of metres up.
The pilot ejected and is “alive and safe”, according to reports.
The plane was hit by a shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missile, close to a major battle scene in Toretsk, the Ukrainians confirmed.
Other footage appears to show a Russian rescue helicopter plucking the SU-25 pilot to safety after he had hidden in the forest.
However, the rescue Mi-8 helicopter was then ambushed by Ukrainian FPV drones with aerial detonation.
The Mi-8 helicopter was also hit by Ukrainian “radio-electronic warfare”, according to the military.
The Ukrainians said: “The Mi-8 helicopter tried to evacuate the pilot, but the FPV crews did not allow him to do so.
“As a result, the helicopter limped back and needs repair.”
Russian source Fighterbomber Telegram channel shrugged off the costly loss: “Yes, we lost the plane. It happens.
“The pilot is in hospital, everything is fine.”
Russia earlier said it had “liberated” bombed-out Torestsk – a claim disputed by Ukraine.
Drone footage of the town shows vast areas of destruction, with building shells standing amongst huge piles of rubble.
Entire blocks have been razed to the ground in the strategic coal-mining city.
Smoke hangs over the ruins, which are hidden beneath a dusting of snow.
Russia insists on calling Torestsk by its Soviet-era name – Dzerzhinsk.
The invaders claim that Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region is now part of Russia – a claim Kyiv brands absurd.
Torestsk has been one of Russia’s key focuses, and there has been intense fighting around the city in recent days.
Ukraine’s military General Staff said Russian forces had launched 10 attacks on the city on Friday.
It said: “The occupiers’ main efforts in attacks were concentrated near the city of Toretsk.
“Ukrainian servicemen repelled all enemy attacks.”
Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for a Ukrainian military group called Khortytsya, said built-up areas of the city were engulfed by fighting.
Nazar told public broadcaster Suspilne: “The enemy is conducting active assault operations and pressing on in the sector with all means and forces
“Ukraine’s defense forces are holding off the much larger Russian aggressor, causing significant damage in terms of casualties and equipment.”
He said two mines near the city had come under the heaviest bombardment.
