MOSCOW, May 3. /TASS/. A Sukhoi-30SM jet of Russia’s Aerospace Force has crashed in the Mediterranean killing both pilots, the Defense Ministry told the media on Thursday.

"At 09:45 on May 3, a Russian Sukhoi-30SM fighter crashed in the Mediterranean during the climb shortly after taking off from the Khmeimim airdrome. As follows from an onsite report, both pilots tried to keep the plane under control till the last moment. Both died," the Defense Ministry said.

According to preliminary estimates, a bird hit the plane’s engine.

"There was no fire impact on the plane," the Defense Ministry said.