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A heavy blow for the Russian Air Force: two powerful Su-35s collided in mid-air, the pilot was killed
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsProgressiveOverlooked by conservatives9/7/2026

A heavy blow for the Russian Air Force: two powerful Su-35s collided in mid-air, the pilot was killed

On September 8, 2026, two Russian Su-35S fighter jets collided mid-air above the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. According to reports from the Telegram channel 'Fighterbomber,' linked to pro-Russian propaganda, one pilot was killed and the other seriously injured. The exact circumstances of the collision remain under investigation. The military correspondent Yuri Kotyonok confirmed the incident but noted that details were still being determined. The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the Kursk region experiencing multiple losses of Russian aircraft since June 2024. Independent sources such as The Moscow Times and Defence Blog report that the loss of Su-35S fighters has been attributed to various factors including Ukrainian air defenses, drone attacks, and incidents unrelated to Ukrainian activity. Notably, some cases have involved Russian air defense systems mistakenly shooting down their own Su-35S aircraft.

Two Russian Su-35S fighter jets collided in midair over the Kursk region on September 7, 2026, according to a Telegram channel linked to Russian military propaganda. One pilot was confirmed dead, while the other suffered serious injuries, though the exact circumstances of the incident remain under investigation. The collision occurred near the border with Ukraine, a region that has seen multiple losses of Russian aircraft since Ukrainian forces launched cross-border attacks in August 2024. The incident marks the 10th confirmed loss of a Su-35S aircraft since the start of the war. Causes of previous losses have included Ukrainian air defense systems, drone attacks, and incidents unrelated to Ukrainian actions. According to independent Russian media, at least two instances of Su-35S losses were attributed to Russian air defenses mistakenly targeting their own aircraft. One such incident occurred near Mariupol, and another took place in the Zakarpattia region. Fighterbomber, a Telegram channel connected to Russian military circles, reported the collision. A military correspondent, Yuriy Kotyonok, stated that the exact details of the incident are still being investigated. Another Russian Telegram channel, "Voevoda Veschat," claimed that one pilot died in the crash and indirectly accused Ukraine of responsibility for the incident, stating that Ukrainians would “answer for this.” However, neither the Russian Ministry of Defense nor Ukrainian officials have officially confirmed the involvement of either side in the incident. The Su-35S is a fourth-generation multirole fighter jet designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It is equipped with the Irbis radar system and can fire long-range air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers. The aircraft is considered one of the most powerful in the Russian Air Force, second only to the newer Su-57 stealth fighter. Despite several incidents involving the Su-35S, including at least one crash attributed to engine failure, Russia continues to deploy these aircraft extensively. According to a report by The Moscow Times, the incident over Kursk highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Russian Air Force. The area remains an active zone of operations for Russian aviation, and several Su-35S losses have been recorded there previously. In June 2025, a Ukrainian F-16 reportedly shot down a Russian Su-35 near Korenevo, marking the first known instance of a Ukrainian-operated F-16 downing an enemy aircraft. This incident involved the use of a Swedish early warning aircraft, which detected the Russian jet at distances of 200 to 300 kilometers and relayed its position to the F-16 pilot, who then fired an AIM-120 missile. The collision over Kursk adds to the growing list of incidents involving Russian aircraft, some of which have been attributed to internal errors or technical failures. While the Russian military continues to rely heavily on the Su-35S, the recent loss of a pilot underscores the risks associated with operating advanced combat aircraft in high-intensity conflict zones. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the situation develops.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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tportal logotportalIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 709/7/2026
Invisible fighter collision over Kursk: The pride of the Russian air force has been lost

A collision between two Russian Su-35S fighter jets occurred over the Kursk region on September 7, 2026, resulting in the death of one pilot and serious injuries to the other. According to reports from The Moscow Times and a pro-war Telegram channel, the incident involved two Su-35S aircraft, which are advanced fourth-generation fighters designed for various air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Some Russian military bloggers have speculated that Ukraine might be responsible for the crash, though neither the Russian Ministry of Defense nor Ukrainian officials have confirmed these claims. The exact circumstances of the accident remain under investigation.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the incident within a geopolitical context by suggesting potential Ukrainian involvement, despite lack of confirmation from official sources. It emphasizes the significance of the event in relation to Russian military capabilities and international tensions, using language that暗示s

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the mid-air collision of two Su-35S fighters over Kursk based on sources like The Moscow Times and Fighterbomber. It mentions one pilot killed and another injured, aligning with the primary source. However, it attributes the incident to 'some Russian bloggers' suggesti

Why objectivity (70): The tone leans towards presenting the incident as a significant blow to Russian air forces, using phrases like 'heavy blow' and emphasizing the loss. While it presents both sides (Russian bloggers vs. lack of official confirmation), it frames the incident more negatively toward Russian military capa

Večernji list logoVečernji listIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 659/7/2026
A heavy blow for the Russian Air Force: two powerful Su-35s collided in mid-air, the pilot was killed

On September 8, 2026, two Russian Su-35S fighter jets collided mid-air above the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. According to reports from the Telegram channel 'Fighterbomber,' linked to pro-Russian propaganda, one pilot was killed and the other seriously injured. The exact circumstances of the collision remain under investigation. The military correspondent Yuri Kotyonok confirmed the incident but noted that details were still being determined. The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the Kursk region experiencing multiple losses of Russian aircraft since June 2024. Independent sources such as The Moscow Times and Defence Blog report that the loss of Su-35S fighters has been attributed to various factors including Ukrainian air defenses, drone attacks, and incidents unrelated to Ukrainian activity. Notably, some cases have involved Russian air defense systems mistakenly shooting down their own Su-35S aircraft.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the incident within the broader context of the conflict with Ukraine, emphasizing potential responsibility of Ukrainian forces. It cites sources associated with pro-Russian narratives and highlights the vulnerability of Russian military assets, suggesting a critical stance toward俄

Why factuality (80): The article cites Fighterbomber and The Moscow Times for the collision details, including one pilot killed and the other seriously injured. It also references the Z-channel 'Voevoda Veschat' and mentions the lack of official confirmation from Russian defense ministry. However, it adds context about

Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'heavy blow' and 'serious damage,' implying a negative impact on Russian aviation. It also indirectly blames Ukraine through the Z-channel's statements, which shows a clear bias in favor of portraying Ukraine as responsible, even though this isn'

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