Su-24M Crash in Ukraine Linked to Bird Strike
A Ukrainian Su-24M bomber crashed in Khmelnytskyi Oblast on June 16, 2026, during a mission, killing both the pilot and navigator. Preliminary findings suggest the crash may have been caused by a bird strike.
Consensus
- The Su-24M crashed in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Ukraine, on June 16, 2025.
- The crash resulted in the deaths of both the pilot and the navigator.
- The aircraft was performing a mission in western Ukraine.
- The flight data recorder was analyzed by specialists.
- The flight data showed a failure of control system components on the left wing.
- After the failure, the aircraft lost control and began rotating around its axis.
- The aircraft fell from an altitude exceeding 600 meters.
- The speed during descent reached 809 km/h.
- The preliminary conclusion points to an external factor—bird strike—as a possible cause.
- The incident occurred during military exercises.
Points of divergence
- The aircraft belonged to the 7th Brigade of Tactical Aviation. — vedomosti
- The pilot was Antonov test pilot Bogdan Zagorulko and the navigator was Bogdan Babenko. — vesti
- The aircraft flew over Shepetivka Raion before the explosion occurred. — m24
- The bird strike theory requires confirmation and other versions are being investigated. — m24
Coverage (3 sources)
- Ukraine named probable cause of Su-24M crash by VU — Ведомости
- Reason for the crash of Su-24M in Khmelnytska area announced — Вести
- Possible cause of June Su-24 crash in Ukraine may be bird strike — Москва 24