he military police are investigating the crash of the Su-25 military plane in Bolnisi municipality, resulting in the death of Aviation and Air Command Defense Forces pilot Lt. Col. Kakhaber Zurabashvili. The Ministry of Defense stated that the aircraft underwent "full checks" before takeoff.
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"In order to fully investigate the tragic incident, all necessary procedures are being carried out by the relevant services. At this stage, the aircraft parts have been identified, and the black box has been recovered. The deceased pilot's body has been transported to the mortuary.
In connection with the incident, a case has been initiated under Article 401, concerning violations of safety regulations during the flight of a military aircraft. The investigation is being conducted by the military police under the procedural supervision of the General Prosecutor's Office.
Based on preliminary investigations, the aircraft underwent thorough checks before the flight, as per technical documentation requirements. Pre-flight preparations were completed, and all regulatory procedures were followed," stated the Ministry of Defense in a release today, dated July 3.
Article 401 of the Criminal Code addresses breaches in the operation, piloting, or preparation for flight of a military aircraft that result in loss of life or serious consequences. The offense carries a penalty of imprisonment from five to ten years.
The incident occurred on July 2, around 13:00, near the village of Disveli in Bolnisi municipality, where the Su-25 aircraft belonging to the Defense Forces crashed. Shortly after the event, several locals informed Georgian News that the plane caught fire mid-air. The crash took place near a military base.
Ten months earlier, in August 2023, the Georgian Ministry of Defense had announced the upgrade of 7 Su-25 aircraft units. Vice-Colonel Kakhaber Zurabashvili and then-Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze had participated in the test flights. The repair work on the Su-25 was carried out by the state military scientific and technical center Delta and Tbilaviamsheni.
