Claims Swirl Around Possible Su-57 Crash near Moscow
A military aircraft crashed in Moscow’s suburbs, with unconfirmed reports identifying it as an Su-57 Felon.
A military aircraft crashed near Moscow, in Russia, on Jul. 23, 2026. Russian press and defense commentators identified the aircraft as an Su-57 of the Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF), although this was not yet officially confirmed at the time of writing.
Images that emerged on Telegram and later on X show the immediate aftermath of the crash in an open field near Moscow, with flames and thick billowing smoke. However, in the images of the crash already published there is no visible debris that could help identify the aircraft.
The Russian MoD later confirmed the incident, and specified there were no casualties, but did not name the aircraft, as per a quote attributed to it by many unofficial Russian ‘mil bloggers’.
“On July 23rd of this year, a training and combat aircraft crashed in the Moscow Region during takeoff. The pilot ejected safely, and his life is not in danger. The aircraft crashed in a deserted area, and there is no damage on the ground,” said the statement.
/2. More footages of the Su-57 crash site pic.twitter.com/9JgVRDj57e
— Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) July 23, 2026
If confirmed, this would become the second reported crash of the fifth-generation fighter. This first crash was reported during a test flight in 2019.
The Su-57 is being heavily pushed for international sales from the top Russian leadership, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and industries minister Denis Manturov, beside the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The aircraft, which was born as a single-seater, has also recently seen a twin-seater variant starting flight testing.
One of the Su-57s recently delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces. | Source: UAC
Russian media and TG reports
Russian business news outlet Kommersant, quoting an unidentified source, reported that the aircraft was an Su-57 and identified the location as the Odintsovo region – a suburb near western Moscow. The publication has also claimed the immediate launch of a separate criminal investigation, beside the standard air crash probe by Russia’s military and civil aviation authorities.
Here is a translation of the report:
“A Su-57 fighter jet crashed in the Odintsovo urban district. The pilot ejected, and there were no injuries. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case for violating flight regulations or preparation for such (Article 351 of the Russian Criminal Code), a Kommersant source reported.
According to Kommersant’s source, the crash occurred during a training flight; the aircraft was unarmed. In addition to the Investigative Committee, military experts and a Defense Ministry commission will investigate the cause of the accident.”
The Kremlin-aligned Telegram channel Fighter-Bomber, which often posts many updates and unofficial pictures from frontline Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF) units, also confirmed the incident, identified the aircraft as the Su-57 and mentioned the special investigation. “The cause of the Su-57 crash will be determined by a state commission, which has already been dispatched to the scene of the incident,” said a post on the channel.
Initial claims by Russian ‘mil bloggers’, based on preliminary information from unidentified Russian officials, say the jet crashed during a training flight. Others maintain the involvement of air defense, suggesting friendly fire, although this is completely unconfirmed at this stage.
Russia is deploying Pantsir-SMD air defense systems from Mi-26 helicopters onto the rooftops of tall buildings in Moscow. #breakıngnews pic.twitter.com/DoA9C8iCpn
— Akıncı (@Aknc35624923) June 6, 2026
It must also however be noted that civilian structures and buildings around Moscow were upgunned with the Pantsir gun-missile hybrid point defense system to tackle the long-range One-Way Attack (OWA) drone attacks from Ukraine.
– Recent open-source satellite imagery reveals the extensive air defense network now surrounding Moscow.
The map shows dozens of S-300, S-400, and Pantsir systems (marked “P”) deployed in multiple concentric rings around the capital, forming one of the densest air… pic.twitter.com/t44127utGd
— The Informant (@theinformant_x) May 28, 2026
We will update this story as more information becomes available.