Storm chaser Julia Musina said her friend recorded the terrifying moment on January 2
The Boeing 747 had left Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport as rain lashed down from ominous grey skies just before nightfall on January 2.
Moments into the ascent for the two hour 20 minutes flight to Sochi, a powerful bolt of lightning ripped down from the sky - striking the plane's carriage.
Storm chaser Julia Musina said: 'It's pretty scary to see this from the ground. The people on the plane must have been really nervous if they noticed what had happened.
'The plane just carried on like nothing had affected it. It's not nice for nervous flyers, though. Take off is the scariest time.
'My friend recorded this and gave it to me to share. We follow the dramatic weather.'
The plane landed at Sochi International Airport where ground staff checked the aircraft for damage.
An airport spokesman said the pilots had both been interviewed and the vehicle was sent for a technical inspection.
They added: 'On arrival at the destination airport at the post-flight inspection found traces of destruction of atmospheric electricity discharge.'
Comment: See also: Lightning hits airplane in rare strike over Iceland