Russian Telegram channels have shared images and videos that appear to depict a Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet shortly after crashing in the Odintosovo district of the Moscow region. The crash reportedly occurred on Thursday, July 23.
According to the Telegram posts, the pilot ejected from the aircraft before it crashed and no casualties were reported.
Su-57 Felon. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Su-57. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
What Just Happened
“A Su-57 military aircraft crashed near the village of Lutsino, in the Moscow region, during a training flight. Until the very last moment, the pilot steered the aircraft away from residential buildings. He then managed to eject,” Russian Telegram channel “Mash” wrote on July 23. The post was accompanied by two images of a large plume of black smoke rising into the air.
According to reports, the aircraft crashed near the town of Zvenigorod.
Additional close-up footage published by the Exilenova+ Telegram channel showed what appeared to be the remains of the aircraft in the middle of a rural field next to some train tracks.
The crash has not yet been officially recognized by Russian authorities, meaning the cause of the incident is not yet known.
Meet the Su-57
The Sukhoi Su-57 is Russia’s first operational fifth-generation fighter jet and currently the most advanced combat aircraft in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Developed by Sukhoi as part of the PAK FA program, the aircraft first flew in January 2010 and officially entered service a decade later in 2020 following years of delays caused by production setbacks and technical challenges.
The aircraft is designed to be a direct rival to the U.S.-built F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II. It is a twin-engine design that combines reduced radar visibility with high maneuverability and advanced sensors.
It can also fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners.
The Su-57 can also reportedly reach speeds of around Mach 2 and is equipped with the N036 Byelka active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which allows it to detect and engage multiple aerial and ground targets simultaneously.
Russia’s most advanced fighter can also carry a range of precision-guided weapons, including the R-77M beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, R-74M short-range missiles, and Kh-59 and Kh-68 cruise missiles.
Many of the weapons can also be carried inside internal weapons bays, helping preserve the aircraft’s low observable characteristics during combat operations.
It’s a promising development for Russia’s air force, but the aircraft is barely available, with production remaining relatively slow and only a limited number of Su-57s having entered service.
The Su-57 In Ukraine
Despite being Russia’s premier fighter aircraft, the Su-57 has played a limited role in the war against Ukraine.
The fighter aircraft has generally been used as a long-range strike platform, operating far outside of contested Ukrainian airspace and launching cruise missiles from outside the range of many Ukrainian air defense systems.
The aircraft was first reported being used in combat in 2022, during the early days of the war, including in suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) missions intended to identify and destroy Ukrainian surface-to-air missile systems.
Russian commanders have also claimed that the Su-57 has been used to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground operations throughout the conflict, although those claims have not been independently verified and the aircraft is generally understood to have been largely absent from the fight.
Su-57 Felon from Russian Air Force. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Su-57 Felon Fighter from Russia. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
However, the aircraft is understood to have been used to launch Kh-69 stealth cruise missiles.
In April 2024, Maj. Illia Yevlash, then head of public relations for the Ukrainian Air Force, said on Ukraine’s national United News telethon that Russia had used an Su-57 to launch a Kh-59 or Kh-69 missile during an attack on Kryvyi Rih.
Yevlash said that Russia was deliberately keeping the aircraft at a “safe distance” because Moscow knew it could become a target for Ukrainian air defenses.
He described the aircraft as a “really pricey” and “expensive toy” that Moscow was trying to protect.
Previous Wartime Losses
If Thursday’s reported crash is confirmed, it would be just over a year after Ukraine claimed to have struck an Su-57 for the first time since the aircraft entered service.
In June 2024, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) said one of the fighters was hit during a drone attack on Akhtubinsk Air Base in Russia’s Astrakhan region, roughly 366 miles from the front line.
However, it is unclear what caused the latest incident. According to Mash, the aircraft crashed during a training flight, suggesting it could have been the result of pilot error or a malfunctioning aircraft.
Nonetheless, the loss of such a valuable aircraft is a blow to Moscow – particularly given that the aftermath has been publicly documented in social media posts.
The crash also comes as Russia attempts to accelerate Su-57 production.
Earlier this year, state-owned manufacturer United Aircraft Corporation announced another batch of upgraded fighters had been delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, producing and editing analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at 19FortyFive and National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
