Satellite Images Show Su-57 Fighter Jet 'Explosion' in Russian Airfield
Summary
Satellite images show a heavily damaged Su-57 fighter jet at Russia’s Akhtubinsk airfield after Ukrainian intelligence said one of the aircraft exploded there on October 29. The images show the aircraft parking area empty on October 30 and a burned area with the damaged jet, but they do not establish what caused the damage.Key Facts
- Ukraine’s GUR intelligence agency said the Su-57’s engines were starting when the incident occurred.
- Images from October 28 showed two Su-57s and an older fighter jet at the airfield; images from October 30 showed one heavily damaged Su-57.
- The images do not show what happened to the second Su-57 seen at the site on October 28.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry did not respond to Newsweek’s request for comment on Ukraine’s claims.
- GUR said low-quality jet fuel can cause Su-57 engines to explode or suffer catastrophic damage, but it did not directly link fuel to this incident.
- The British International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated Russia had about 21 Su-57s in operation at the start of 2026.
- Akhtubinsk is about 400 miles from the Ukrainian front lines, and Ukraine has previously reported strikes on aircraft at the airfield.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
