The MiG-29 is described by a reporter as being a "state-of-the-art" fighter. In fact even at the time of this episode in 1998 the MiG-29 was over 21 years old as it entered service in 1977. The United States had released a number of more advanced fighters since then including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet and the F/A-18E Super Hornet. Though at the time it was Russia's most advanced MiG, due to the financial issues following the collapse of the Soviet Union Russia was not able to produce a new MiG until 2016, which was the MiG-35.
When discussed in the admiral's office saying the bodies "wouldn't be found assuming the lake is extremely deep. Lake Ubinskoye is only 2.0-2.8 meters (6 ft 7 in - 9 ft 2 in) deep; during periods of low water it is only 0.6-1.0 meter (2 ft 0 in - 3 ft 3 in) deep.
Mac is an untrained fighter jet pilot while Harm is. Yet Mac miraculous ejects from a Russian or old Soviet Mig-29 easily without any injuries. Ejecting from a fighter jet at high speeds is not child's play.