MOSCOW — One pilot died and another broke his spine after two fighter jets collided during aerobatics practice near Moscow ahead of the annual air show, officials said Sunday.

Two of the three crew members on board the two Sukhoi Su-27 fighters managed to eject from the planes before they collided in the accident, which is expected to cast a shadow over the country's annual air show.

"The pilots have ejected. Two of the pilots are in satisfactory condition, one pilot has died," Russian air force spokesman Vladimir Drik said on Russian television.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has expressed condolences to the family of the dead pilot, Igor Tkachenko, a highly-trained professional and commander of the country's celebrated Russian Knights aerobatic team, his office said.