Russian Su-57 crashes near Moscow amid friendly fire speculation
A Russian Sukhoi Su-57 Felon fighter jet has crashed near Moscow with the pilot reportedly ejecting safely. This is a developing story, and the cause of the crash is still unclear, with online rumours claiming it came down due to a technical malfunction, while others have suggested it was brought down by Russian air defence.
Russian Su-57 Felon crashed near Moscow
The Russian news outlet Kommersant reported that the Su-57 crashed in the Odintsovo Urban District on the outskirts of the Moscow metropolitan area. It says the pilot successfully ejected and there were no casualties.
On 23 July 2026, a military aircraft crashed near Zvenigorod, Moscow Oblast, Russia. Reportedly the pilot ejected.
— The Military Watch (@MarcinRogowsk14) July 23, 2026
Many rumors floating around as to identity of the crashed aircraft, lets wait for confirmation. pic.twitter.com/FDlf0Pgge8
The publication adds (citing an unnamed source), “According to the source, the crash occurred during a training flight, and the aircraft was not carrying any weapons.”
The Russian Investigative Committee (SKR) has opened a criminal case into alleged violations of flight rules or flight preparation procedures (Article 351 of the Russian Criminal Code). The Russian Ministry of Defence will investigate the cause of the incident.
The fighter jet is designed to replace the ageing Su-27 and is considered a 5th-generation fighter jet or a 4.5th+ generation fighter jet with low-observable characteristics, depending on definitions. It entered service in 2020, with the first being exported to Algeria in 2025.
An early 2026 Rusi estimate suggested the Russian Air Force had around 20 Felons in service by late 2025.
Separately, Aviation Safety Network now records three Su-57 crashes over the course of the programme (including a prototype crash in 2014).
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Rumours that the Su-57 was brought down by friendly fire
One prominent Russian mil blogger, Romanov, posted on Telegram, “Several questions should be addressed to the BARS-Moscow air defence crew.” This comment seems to indicate the jet could have been brought down by friendly fire.
Russian milbloggers are already hinting that air defense may have been involved in the reported Su-57 crash in Moscow region:
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) July 23, 2026
«July 23, 2026 Odintsovo district, Moscow region, Russia. Russian Aerospace Forces Su-57. The pilot ejected and is alive.
A number of questions should… https://t.co/uvCmnK49CE pic.twitter.com/G63lB7sXne
The term BARS (Combat Army Reserve) in the context of the Moscow air defence refers to hired civilian volunteers and private militia groups operating with MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems) to intercept low-flying drones.
If this is accurate, it would ironically make Russia the first country in the world to successfully shoot down a 5th-generation fighter jet, even if that jet was their own.
Ukraine has successfully damaged or destroyed a Russian Su-57 Felon on the ground using drones in 2024 and possibly again in 2026. A Ukrainian claim to have damaged or destroyed one-two Su-57s on the ground in 2026 has not been independently verified.
Iran managed to hit an American F-35 as it operated over the country, but that aircraft did not come down and landed safely.
Russia has shot down friendly military and commercial aircraft
A small but significant share of Russia’s military fighter jet losses in the air during the war in Ukraine have been due to friendly fire. The number of Russian fighter jets lost to friendly fire is unclear, but the number could be greater than ten.
On occasion, Russia has elected to blame friendly fire rather than credit Ukraine with a victory (e.g., the twin A-50U Mainstay AEW&C shootdowns).
The most tragic result was in late 2024 with Russia shooting down the Azerbaijan Flight 8243 Embraer 190 over southern Russia during a Ukrainian drone attack. Vladimir Putin eventually apologised for the mistake.
A less widely reported close call came in July 2025 when Russian flak fire reportedly hit an Aeroflot Flight 1845 operated by a Boeing 737-800 as it flew from Belarus. The jet managed to land in Moscow safely.
Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons
