The ministry added that, according to preliminary information, the plane has crashed as a result of a technical malfunction.
"A Tu-22M3 aircraft of the Russian aerospace forces has crashed in the Stavropol Territory after conducting a combat mission while returning to its home airfield. The pilots have ejected. Three crew members have been evacuated by a search and rescue team. A search for one pilot is currently underway. There was no ammunition on board. The plane has crashed in a deserted area. There is no damage on the ground," the ministry said in a statement.
Two pilots of the crashed plane were transported to hospital, Stavropol region governor said.
According to the latest information, the third pilot, evacuated from the crash scene, died. The search for the fourth crewmember is underway.