- Category
- War in Ukraine
Russia’s $150 Million Su-57 Stealth Fighter Explodes Before It Even Takes Off
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A Russian Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter, valued at approximately $150 million, exploded during engine startup at the Akhtubinsk military airbase in Russia on October 29, Ukrainian military intelligence reported.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
According to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) on November 2, the incident involved one of Russia’s most advanced combat aircraft, which is powered by AL-41F1 turbofan engines. Ukrainian intelligence identified poor-quality aviation fuel as one possible cause of catastrophic engine failure but did not confirm what triggered the explosion.
The Su-57 is Russia’s fifth-generation multirole fighter, designed for air superiority and strikes against ground targets. Despite being promoted as Russia’s answer to Western stealth aircraft such as the American F-22 and F-35, the aircraft has been produced in relatively limited numbers.
The reported explosion also comes amid a series of incidents involving Russian military aviation, including aircraft losses attributed to Ukrainian strikes and technical failures.
Separately, HUR reported on November 2 that Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries have increased Moscow’s dependence on imported aviation fuel.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, nearly 40,000 metric tons of Jet A-1 fuel were shipped from India’s Vadinar refinery, operated by Nayara Energy, in August. The cargo was subsequently transferred between sanctioned tankers near Malaysia before more than 37,000 metric tons reached Russia’s port of Nakhodka on September 23.
-f474b938837153c6169ba6596c5b7c08.png)
HUR identified Rosneft subsidiaries involved in handling and supplying aviation fuel to Russia’s defense industry, including manufacturers associated with the Su-57 program.
Although Jet A-1 can be used by several Russian military aircraft, including the Su-57, Ukrainian intelligence has not confirmed any direct connection between the imported fuel and the reported fighter jet explosion.
The incident could mark the fourth known case of a Russian Su-57 fighter being destroyed or damaged in 2026. Ukrainian drones reportedly struck two Su-57s at the Shagol airfield on April 25, while another aircraft was reportedly shot down by Russian air defenses in a friendly-fire incident near Moscow on July 23.
Discuss this article:
-0f8d2080a2965b0aeaa2945403b28a05.png "Black smoke rises near the Samara oil pumping and dispatch station in Russia’s Samara region following a drone attack on November 2, 2026. (Source: Exilenova+)")
