Two pilots were killed after a Yak-130 combat training plane of the Belarusian Air Force crashed near Baranovichi in the western Brest Region, the republic’s Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

"A Yak-130 military plane based out of the Lida assault aviation base has crashed near Baranovichi. Unfortunately, both pilots have died. There are no other victims or damage. The Emergencies Ministry’s forces have eliminated the consequences of the crash," the ministry said in a statement.

The plane’s crew found a technical fault during their training flight, the ministry said.

"The pilots tried to steer the plane away from a populated area, displaying courage and heroism. After they understood that the plane’s flight path was outside of residential buildings, the pilots ejected," the Belarusian Defense Ministry stated.