Russian Su-57 explodes on start-up as Ukraine points to poor quality fuel

Russia may have lost another of its scarce Su-57 Felon stealth fighters, with satellite imagery appearing to show a destroyed aircraft at Akhtubinsk airbase in late October.

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) claims the jet caught fire during engine start-up and was destroyed. The reported loss and its cause have not been independently verified, and Russia has not publicly commented on the alleged incident.

Ukraine claims Russian Su-57 Felon exploded during engine start-up

Ukraine’s HUR said the aircraft was lost during an engine start sequence, suggesting that poor-quality aviation fuel was a possible cause.

Ukraine has previously stated Russia has a growing dependence on imported fuel as Ukraine continues to strike Russian refineries.

The Ukrainian defence agency wrote, “The cost of the combat aircraft is estimated at about $150 million.”

However, estimates of the Su-57’s unit cost vary considerably. Russian sources have historically suggested significantly lower figures, while export pricing, support packages and associated equipment can substantially increase overall programme costs.

⚡️❗️BREAKING: As if Russia hadn’t lost enough Sukhoi jets this October, another Su-57 has been completely destroyed, this time without any Ukrainian involvement. On October 29, a Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighter reportedly caught fire during engine startup at Akhtubinsk airfield in Astrakhan Oblast and burned out completely.

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) October 30, 2026

The aircraft is powered by a pair of AL-41F1 turbofan engines (the so-called “Izdeliye 117”), which are intended to be replaced with the more advanced Saturn AL-51 engines. Serial production aircraft continue to be delivered with the older engines.

During the Ukraine war, the Su-57 has been actively used, but appears to have played a somewhat supporting and cautious role. Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes have seen them used as drone hunters deep in the rear.

As the war has progressed and the older Su-24, Su-25, MiG-29, and Su-27 fleet has attrited and aged, the Flanker series has increasingly taken on the central fighter jet/fighter-bomber role.

2026 deliveries and losses for the Su-57

The reported incident comes amid a series of Russian military aviation losses (including Su-30s).

Earlier this year, a Su-57 crashed near Moscow. While some Russian and Ukrainian sources speculated that the aircraft may have been brought down by friendly fire, no official confirmation of the cause has been released.

So far in 2026, the Russian Air Force has received two batches of new Su-57s. The first two Algerian Su-57s were also confirmed to have been delivered by early 2026.

The first Russian batch in February was reported as “large,” and photos showed at least two aircraft; this could have included up to four units. The second batch was delivered in September, with at least two more aircraft delivered.

If the Akhtubinsk aircraft is confirmed as a total loss, this would bring the number of Su-57s reported destroyed in 2026 to two.

Russia struggling to grow its Su-57 fleet

AGN has previously reported how Russia is struggling to ramp up production of the Su-57, despite the type entering service in 2020. Russia has focused on producing its Flanker (Su-34, Su-35, Su-30) series.

The Su-57 is considered particularly exposed to sanctions, with various components imported. Previous reporting suggests some aircraft have been pressed into service lacking certain systems and capabilities.

The Oryx’s blog OSINT manager, Jacob Janovsky, recently estimated that the Russian Air Force has around 30 operational Su-57 Felons in service.

With around 30 operational aircraft, Russia would still field fewer fifth-generation fighters than Australia, which operates 72 F-35As.

In Europe, it would also place Russia after Norway (52), the Netherlands (approx. 50), Italy (approx. 47), and the UK (47).