The return on the accident of the Sukhoi Su-33, trying in vain to land on the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, is not just a simple landing accident. It reminds us of the challenges facing Russia in its quest to modernize and integrate its difficult Soviet heritage into its navy.

Failed landing and sunk Sukhoi Su-33

Viral videos on social media platforms show a Russian Sukhoi Su-33 fighter plunging into the depths of the Mediterranean: this was in 2016. The sudden descent was the result of a failed landing attempt on the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. In these videos, widely shared in particular on specialized Telegram channels, we can see the submerged plane, still attached to the aircraft carrier’s stopping mechanism. At the same time, the presence of a helicopter indicates a probable rescue mission for the ejected pilot.