Fire at key Sukhoi Su-57 plant raises questions over Russia’s fighter production ramp-up
April 13, 2026
A fire at a vital Sukhoi Su-57 and Su-35S plant in Russia’s Far East raises questions about whether the production of these fighter jets will be impacted. Russia is trying to ramp up fighter jet production as it faces growing obsolescence of its legacy fighters, while also replacing wartime losses and meeting modest export demand.
Fire reported in Sukhoi Su-57 workshop
According to OSINT accounts, a fire was filmed at the Gagarin Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant. That workshop is one of the plants responsible for producing components for the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon.
W Komsomolsku nad Amurem płonie warsztat w fabryce lotniczej im. Gagarina, która produkuje myśliwce Su-35S i Su-57. Na początku płonął warsztat nr 46, który specjalizuje się w produkcji części z polimerowych materiałów kompozytowych. Jest to kluczowy element w produkcji Su-57. pic.twitter.com/qg5pZWlALy
— Obserwator Wojen (@ObserwatorWojen) April 11, 2026
The Ukrainian news outlet, Pryamiy, reported that the fire was in workshop No. 46, which specialises in the production of polymer composite components for the Su-57.
The publication says that the fire could affect around 300 parts, including aileron and flaperon panels, floor structures, parts for the wings, and more.
Pryamiy adds, “Production here is largely manual, with some automation, making it dependent on specialised equipment and skilled workers… workshop No. 46 is a critically important link in the serial production of the Su-35S and especially the Su-57.”
It is unclear how extensive the damage is and whether it will have any impact on the production of the Felon.
Targeting critical supply chain for Su-57
The story of the fire at workshop No. 46 was picked up by the pro-Russian news outlet Military Watch Magazine. It wrote the fire “raised questions regarding the future of production of the Su-35 and Su-57 fighters, which are assembled exclusively at the facility.”
Video from Russia’s Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant showing nine Su-35S and three Su-57 fighter aircraft under construction. The video was published yesterday; unclear when it was filmed.https://t.co/NsC0asSpr5 https://t.co/eYH0T1rS79 pic.twitter.com/Bwxuq95iSW
— John Hardie (@JohnH105) July 18, 2024
Military Watch Magazine stated, “Multiple Russian and European defence production facilities have suffered major fires since the outbreak of full-scale hostilities in the Ukrainian theatre in February 2022, fuelling widespread speculation of possible sabotage.”
Satellite images appear to show a successful Ukrainian FP-9 Flamingo missile strike on a Su-34/35/57 production contractor in Belgorod.
The TG channels Exilenova and Cyber Boroshno released a picture showing the results of a Flamingo missile strike. They write the following:
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) January 25, 2026
„Flamingo strike: 4/4 hits on the Su-34/35/57 production contractor in Belgorod on September 23, 2025.
Regarding hostile propaganda. The… pic.twitter.com/q9HXfbxEIl
The OSINT account, Tendar, noted that the strike was on the LLC “SKIF-M”, which is a high-tech manufacturer of special tools for processing titanium, aluminium, and composites. These are critical for Russia’s aviation production.
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Slow ramp-up in Su-57 deliveries amid sanctions
With the war now in its fifth year, Russia is relying on its Su-30/34/35 family of fighter jets. Older Su-27s, Su-24s, and Su-25s have largely disappeared from the frontline. Su-24 appears to be assigned rear-echelon duties, such as patrols.
The Su-57 has been active throughout the war, although it has failed to make a major impact. Russia has struggled to boost production numbers due to sanctions, supply chain issues, and reliance on its mature Flanker family.
Until 2025, Su-57 production numbers were subdued, with only a few delivered annually. But the number delivered in 2025 remains confusing.
The think-tank Rusi reported in January 2026, “Su-57 deliveries have continued at a modest pace,” and then estimated Russia only had around 20 examples in service by the end of 2025.
RuAviation estimated around 30 were in service by the beginning of 2026. A “substantial” new batch of Su-57s was reportedly delivered in early 2026.
Other sources suggest Russia was able to significantly ramp up Su-57 deliveries in 2025, allowing it to commence deliveries to the type’s only export customer, Algeria.
Featured Image: Rostec
