Russian Su-57 fighter crashes near Moscow
A Russian Su‑57 fifth‑generation fighter crashed during a training sortie in the Moscow region on 23 July 2026. The aircraft descended near Odintsovo/Zvenigorod and the pilot ejected safely, with no injuries reported on the ground.
The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the accident, stating that the preliminary cause was a technical fault. Russian media and independent channels identified the aircraft as a Su‑57, the most advanced fighter in Russia’s air fleet, of which only about 30 are operational against a target of 76. An investigation has been opened to determine the exact circumstances, while some analysts have speculated about possible friendly‑fire or cyber‑induced failures. The loss is seen as a symbolic blow to the Russian Air Force given the high cost (approximately $100 million per unit) and limited numbers of the type.