A Russian tactical bomber crashed in central Russia on Friday after both pilots ejected safely, Russian news agencies reported.

The Su-24 Fencer bomber crashed near the central Russian city of Voronezh at 13:45 Moscow time (1045 GMT), Interfax quoted Air Force spokesman Vladimir Drik as saying.

Both pilots were sent to a hospital for further medical examination, Drik said, adding that the accident did not cause damage or casualties on the ground.

According to preliminary information, the crash was caused by a technical problem. The Russian Air Force has announced a suspension of flights of Su-24 bombers.

The two-seat, twin-engine tactical bomber has been in service with the Russian Air Force since the mid-1970s. However, Russia has gradually been phasing out the plane due to its patchy safety record.

The Russian Defense Ministry said earlier that the Su-24 will be replaced with new Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2008)