Russia's advanced Su-57 fighter jet explodes: What Ukraine's intelligence says
Photo: The latest Su-57 fighter jet exploded in Russia (wikimedia.org)
On October 29, 2026, the aggressor state's newest multirole fighter jet, the Su-57, exploded at the Russian military airfield Akhtubinsk, reports Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR).
According to the report, the incident occurred while the aircraft's engines were being started. The combat aircraft is estimated to be worth approximately $150 million.
The Su-57 is equipped with an AL-41F1 turbofan engine. One of the reasons engines of this type can explode or suffer catastrophic failure is the use of substandard fuel.
Under a state contract for the production of Su-57 multirole fighters, LLC RN-Aero supplies aviation fuel to PJSC United Aircraft Corporation, which is under sanctions imposed by the US, Canada, Switzerland, the EU, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Ukraine.
The fuel in question is Jet A-1, which is an equivalent of the Russian-Soviet TS-1 and RT aviation fuels used in gas turbine aircraft engines. Jet A-1 fuel is fully compatible with and suitable for use in Russian MiG-29, Su-34, Su-35S, Su-30SM, Su-57, Su-24M, and Tu-95MS aircraft.
Jet A-1 can also be used to refuel the Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered attack drones, which are equipped with Telefly TJ2000A (TF-TJ2000A) turbojet engines or their Russian-made copies, the TRD-2000.
Russia is strengthening the protection of key military aviation facilities against Ukraine's long-range strikes, including facilities belonging to the company that manufactures Russia's two most advanced fighter jets, the Su-57 and Su-35.
According to reports, large-scale construction work is underway at the aircraft plant in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur and at the nearby Dzyomgi airbase.
