Russian Air Force Su-57 Felon Destroyed

A Su-57 was destroyed by fire on the ground at Akhtubinsk air base in Astrakhan Oblast, home of the 929th State Flight Test Centre, on 29 October 2026. UK Defence Intelligence assessed that the fighter likely suffered a technical malfunction before catching fire, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft, and counted it among at least 11 Russian tactical aviation aircraft lost in October. Satellite images published by a Telegram channel and reported by Militarnyi show the burnt-out airframe; Militarnyi reported an abnormal situation during engine start-up. Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) suggested degraded jet fuel as a possible cause. Russia has not commented, and the airframe has not been identified.