A SU-24M (NATO classification Fencer-D) bomber crashed 56 kilometers from the city of Voronezh at about 9.00 GMT Wednesday during a routine training mission.
"At present, both pilots are undergoing a medical check-up at the Voronezh airfield," the official said. "Doctors evaluate their health condition as satisfactory."
According to preliminary investigation, the crash was caused by a technical failure in the plane's hydraulics system. Two black boxes found at the site of the crash have been removed for data analysis.
Russian Air Force commander Vladimir Mikhailov ordered the suspension of flights by Su-24 aircraft in the wake of the crash.
The Su-24M is a two-seat, variable wing-position attack aircraft designed to destroy key ground and surface targets in any weather conditions day or night. Physically, the plane resembles the U.S. F-111 fighter-bomber, although its capabilities are more comparable to the European Tornado IDS.
The Su-24M has two AL-21F afterburning turbojet engines, and a maximum speed of 2,320 km/h (1,440 mph). The aircraft has a service ceiling of about 11,500 meters (32,000 feet) and a range of about 3,000 km (1,865 miles). It can carry a combat payload of 7,500kg (16,520 lbs).
Sources say over 900 Su-24s have been manufactured since 1983. The aircraft is in service with the Russian air force and navy, and has been exported to Azerbaijan, Algeria, Iran, Libya, Poland, Syria and Ukraine.
