Russian Su-57 Fighter Jet Incident at Akhtubinsk Airfield

Ukraine has reported an incident involving a Russian Su-57 fighter jet at an airfield in southwestern Russia. The claim states that the jet ‘exploded’ last week, marking a potential setback for Moscow’s advanced stealth aircraft. Confirmation of this event remains pending.

The engine of the Su-57 was reportedly starting up when the incident happened on October 29 at the Akhtubinsk airfield, located in the Astrakhan region, according to Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency. The Russian Defense Ministry has been contacted for comment by Newsweek.

Russia touts the Su-57 as its most advanced and hardest to detect jet, comparable to the U.S. F-35s and F-22s. However, skepticism remains among many Western aviation experts regarding its stealth capabilities.

Moscow has employed the Su-57 for long-range strikes in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. However, analysts have criticized its performance as subpar. The Russian military appears reluctant to risk its limited number of these planes in combat near Kyiv.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies, a British defense think tank, reported that Russia had approximately 21 Su-57 jets operational by the start of 2026. Ukrainian estimates suggest each Su-57 costs around $150 million.

Ukraine’s GUR mentioned that the engines in the Su-57 might ‘explode or undergo catastrophic destruction’ if fueled with low-quality jet fuel.

This incident is an evolving story. Further updates will follow.

For more information, Newsweek editors Robert Greenall and Tobias Meyjes can be contacted.