Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) confirmed that a Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet was damaged by an engine fire at Akhtubinsk airfield in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast on Oct. 29, suggesting the fire may have resulted from deteriorating jet fuel quality linked to Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries.
In a Nov. 2 social media statement, HUR said the fire may have been caused by fuel degradation tied to the strikes. The agency reported in August that Russia was becoming increasingly dependent on aviation fuel imports as Ukrainian strikes disrupted domestic jet fuel production.
The Su-57 is Russia's most advanced and expensive fighter jet. Estimates of its cost range from $35 million, according to a 2019 report by Russian outlet Kommersant, to around $150 million for the export variant, according to HUR. The Russian government describes the aircraft as an advanced, supermaneuverable fifth-generation fighter with stealth capabilities, designed to rival Western models such as the U.S.-made F-35 and F-22.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the Su-57 has seen limited use during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia's small fleet has suffered several setbacks in 2026: in April, a Ukrainian drone strike hit two aircraft of the type, according to Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, and in July another Su-57 reportedly crashed or was shot down in a friendly-fire incident during a training flight near Moscow.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Another loss or damage to Russia's most advanced fighter undercuts a key symbol of its air power, even if the aircraft's combat role has been limited.
- The alleged fuel-quality link ties the incident to Ukraine's broader campaign against Russian oil infrastructure, suggesting those strikes have knock-on effects on military operations.
- It extends a pattern of 2026 setbacks for the small Su-57 fleet, which may further constrain Russian air operations.
Background
The Su-57 is Russia's fifth-generation stealth fighter, developed to compete with the American F-35 and F-22. Russia fields only a small number of the aircraft, and its use in the war in Ukraine has been limited. Ukrainian officials have previously reported strikes and incidents involving the type, including a drone strike on two aircraft in April and a reported crash or friendly-fire shootdown in July.
What to Watch
- Whether Russian authorities publicly acknowledge or deny the incident and its cause.
- Further Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries, which could compound fuel supply problems.
- Any impact on the operational availability of Russia's remaining Su-57 fleet.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedHUR says a Russian Su-57 was damaged in an engine fire at Akhtubinsk airfield on Oct. 29.Kyiv Independent: “Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) confirmed that a Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet was damaged by an engine fire at Akhtubinsk airfield in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast on Oct. 29.”
- SupportedHUR suggested deteriorating jet fuel quality linked to Ukrainian refinery strikes may have caused the fire.Kyiv Independent: “HUR suggested that the fire may have resulted from deteriorating jet fuel quality linked to Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries”
- SupportedHUR made the fuel-quality suggestion in a Nov. 2 social media statement.Kyiv Independent: “according to a Nov. 2 social media statement”
- SupportedIn August, HUR reported that Russia was becoming increasingly dependent on aviation fuel imports as Ukrainian strikes disrupted domestic jet fuel production.Kyiv Independent: “In August, the agency reported that Russia was becoming increasingly dependent on aviation fuel imports as Ukrainian strikes disrupted domestic jet fuel production.”
- SupportedThe Su-57 is described as Russia's most advanced and expensive fighter jet.Kyiv Independent: “The Su-57 is Russia's most advanced and expensive fighter jet.”
- SupportedCost estimates range from $35 million to around $150 million for the export variant.Kyiv Independent: “Estimates of its cost range from $35 million, according to a 2019 report by Russian outlet Kommersant, to around $150 million for the export variant, according to HUR.”
- SupportedThe Russian government describes the Su-57 as a supermaneuverable fifth-generation fighter with stealth capabilities designed to rival the F-35 and F-22.Kyiv Independent: “The Russian government describes the aircraft as an advanced, supermaneuverable fifth-generation fighter with stealth capabilities, designed to rival Western models such as the U.S.-made F-35 and F-22.”
- SupportedThe Su-57 has seen limited use during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Kyiv Independent: “Despite its advanced capabilities, the Su-57 has seen limited use during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
- SupportedRussia's small Su-57 fleet has suffered several setbacks in 2026.Kyiv Independent: “Russia's small fleet of Su-57s has suffered several setbacks in 2026.”
- SupportedIn April, a Ukrainian drone strike hit two Su-57 aircraft, according to Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces.Kyiv Independent: “In April, a Ukrainian drone strike hit two aircraft of the type, according to Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces.”
- SupportedIn July, another Su-57 reportedly crashed or was shot down in a friendly-fire incident during a training flight near Moscow.Kyiv Independent: “In July, another Su-57 reportedly crashed or was shot down in a friendly-fire incident during a training flight near Moscow.”