The Russian Knights () is an aerobatic demonstration team of the Russian Air Force. Originally formed on April 5, 1991 at the Kubinka Air Base as a team of six Sukhoi Su-27s, the team was the first to perform outside the Soviet Union in September 1991 when they toured the United Kingdom. On December 12, 1995, disaster struck as three team jets flew in-formation into a mountainside near Cam Ranh, Vietnam during approach while en route to home from a Malaysian airshow during adverse weather conditions. The team now performs with eight Su-30SM. History The team is based at Kubinka AFB. Kubinka is a major base of the Russian Air Force in the Moscow region. Accident and incidents On 12 December 1995, when approaching the Cam Ranh airfield (Vietnam) in adverse weather for refueling, two Su-27s and an Su-27UB of the Russian Knights team flew into a nearby mountain while in-formation, killing four pilots. The cause of the crash is attributed to a misinterpretation of approach-pattern instructions, and in particular the leading Il-76 that was acting as a reconnaissance aircraft. On 16 August 2009, two Su-27s rehearsing acrobatic maneuvers collided near Moscow, killing one pilot and sending the jets crashing into nearby vacation homes. The dead pilot was identified as the Russian Knights' commander, Guards Colonel Igor Tkachenko, a decorated air force officer. On 9 June 2016, a Su-27 pilot was killed near Moscow as he failed to eject when trying to avoid homes. See also Soviet air shows MAKS Air Show Swifts References External links Russian Knights official website (Russian language) Russian Knights official website (English language) Russian aerobatic team Russian Knights on Aerobaticteams.net Units and formations of the Russian Air Force Units and formations of the Soviet Air Forces Aerobatic teams 1991 establishments in the Soviet Union Military units and formations established in 1991 Kubinka Russian ceremonial units