Russia Su-57 jet engine failure
The gist
A Russian Su-57 fighter jet burned out completely during engine startup at the Akhtubinsk airfield.
Ukraine's HUR suspects poor fuel; the loss equals about a year of production.
How it unfolded
- Apr 25, 2026Ukrainian drones reportedly struck two Su-57s at the Shagol airfield in the Chelyabinsk region, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Jul 23, 2026A third fighter jet crashed in the Zvenigorod area near Moscow; the Russian Ministry of Defense cited a technical malfunction. A blogger and a Ukrainian project separately said it may have been downed by Russian air defenses.
- Oct 29, 2026A Su-57 burned out completely during engine startup at the Akhtubinsk military airfield in the Astrakhan region — the fourth Su-57 lost since the start of 2026. The aircraft is valued at approximately $150 million.