Midair Collision Destroys Two Russian Su-35S Fighters Over Kursk

Key points

• Two Su-35S fighter jets collided in midair over the Kursk region on September 7, 2026.
• Both aircraft were destroyed in the incident.
• One pilot was killed, while the second pilot survived, according to reports from the Telegram channel Voevoda Veschat.
• Russian authorities have not officially confirmed the incident or provided the cause of the collision.
• The Su-35S is a fourth-generation multi-role fighter used by the Russian Armed Forces for air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.

Background

This incident occurs amid ongoing Russian military losses in the Kursk region, which has seen previous aircraft incidents. The Su-35S is a key platform for the Russian Aerospace Forces, recently receiving a new delivery batch on August 27, 2026. The aircraft is used to support ground forces, intercept Ukrainian UAVs, and counter air defense systems. Earlier in September, Russian strikes on Kyiv were suspended for 72 hours to facilitate US-led peace negotiations, though the collision itself was unrelated to these diplomatic efforts.

How outlets are covering it

Russian military bloggers, including the Fighterbomber and Voevoda Veschat Telegram channels, reported the collision and the death of one pilot. Some Russian propaganda resources attempted to attribute the incident to Ukrainian involvement, though Ukraine has not confirmed any role. In contrast, Ukrainian media outlets like UNITED24 and Nasha Niva reported the incident based on Russian sources, noting the lack of official Russian confirmation. The incident is viewed as a significant loss for the Russian Air Force, which recently received new Su-35S jets and has faced other aircraft losses, including a Su-35 shot down by a Ukrainian F-16 in July 2026.

Why it matters

The loss of two advanced Su-35S fighters highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced by the Russian Air Force in the conflict. The incident underscores the vulnerability of Russian military assets, even in areas not directly under active ground combat, and reflects the broader attrition of high-value military equipment. It also raises questions about the safety and operational readiness of Russian air forces amid continued warfare.

What to watch

Russian authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the collision, though no official statement has been released. The incident may lead to increased scrutiny of Russian air force operations and safety protocols. Continued losses of military aircraft could impact Russian air power and strategic operations in the region.