The Su-30 spun out of control before nosediving and then exploding when it smashed into the ground in Kaliningrad (Picture: east2west)

A Russian warplane crashed during a training mission in Kaliningrad on Saturday, killing both pilots on board.

The Su-30 spun out of control before nosediving and then exploding when it smashed into the ground in the Baltic Sea exclave.

It occurred close to the so-called Suwalki Corridor, a 60-mile stretch between Kaliningrad and Russian ally Belarus which has been dubbed NATO’s ‘weakest link’.

There are fears troops from thee Wagner mercenary group could be used as a provocation in strip, which forms the only land link between member states Poland and Lithuania. 

Officials said the crash was likely caused by a ‘technical fault’.

‘The Su-30 aircraft crashed in a deserted area. The flight was carried out without ammunition. The crew died,’ local military authorities said.

The Su-30 has been used extensively during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The downed fighter jet is the eighth military aircraft Vladimir Putin has lost this year (Picture: AFP via Getty)

The downed fighter jet is the eighth military aircraft Vladimir Putin has lost this year.

Last month, two Russian fighter jets crashed while on training missions — one into the Pacific and one into the Sea of Azov.

The crash was captured on video, with onlookers heard saying: ‘What a nightmare. A plane crashed. 

‘It exploded.  The pilots didn’t even eject….what a horror.’

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The downed fighter jet is the eighth military aircraft Vladimir Putin has lost this year.