A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was mistakenly downed by Russian forces over Crimea, as reported by Ukraine. The incident occurred due to a failure by an operator to verify the aircraft’s allegiance during a heightened state of combat readiness. The pilot was able to safely eject from the aircraft, and video footage captured the plane engulfed in flames as it descended towards the ground. This incident highlights the dangers of miscommunication and the importance of following proper protocols in military operations.