Two Russian Su-35S fighter jets reportedly collided in midair over Russia’s Kursk region, resulting in the reported death of one pilot and the survival of another. The incident took place on September 7, 2026, according to reports from Russian military aviation channels and other media outlets monitoring developments in the region.
The collision involved two Su-35S multirole fighter aircraft. Initial reports indicated that the aircraft collided while flying over Kursk. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident have not yet been established publicly. Russian authorities had not released a comprehensive official explanation of what caused the two aircraft to collide at the time of the latest reports.
According to reports attributed to Russian military aviation sources, one of the pilots died in the incident. Another pilot reportedly managed to eject from the aircraft and survived. Some reports said the surviving pilot suffered injuries, although details about the pilot’s condition were not immediately available from an official Russian statement.
The incident was first reported through military aviation channels, including Fighterbomber, a Russian pro-war Telegram channel that regularly publishes information related to military aviation. Other regional and international outlets subsequently reported the collision, citing those initial reports. Because the information initially came through unofficial channels, details about the accident should be treated cautiously until confirmed by Russian authorities.
Reports indicated that wreckage from at least one of the aircraft was found in the Kursk region. Images and videos said to show the crash site circulated online following the incident. However, the precise location and the full extent of damage to both aircraft require independent confirmation.
The Kursk region is located in western Russia and has been closely associated with the wider Russia Ukraine conflict. The area has experienced military activity and security incidents since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. However, the available reports on the Su-35S collision did not establish that the aircraft were brought down by Ukrainian forces. The incident has instead been reported as a midair collision, with the cause still under investigation.
The Su-35S is a Russian multirole fighter aircraft derived from the Su-27 family. It is designed for air superiority missions as well as a range of other combat roles. The aircraft is regarded as one of Russia’s more advanced operational fighter jets and has been used extensively by the Russian Aerospace Forces.
A collision involving two aircraft of this type represents a significant aviation incident because military fighter operations require pilots to maintain precise separation and coordination during formation flights and other missions. A midair collision can occur because of a variety of factors, including communication problems, visibility issues, navigation errors, mechanical failures or difficulties during complex flight manoeuvres. No specific cause has been established in this case.
The circumstances of the flight at the time of the collision also remain unclear. Reports have not established whether the two aircraft were conducting routine training, operational activity or another type of mission. It is therefore important not to speculate about the reason for the flight until investigators release additional information.
The survival of the second pilot reportedly followed an ejection from the aircraft. Modern fighter aircraft are equipped with ejection seats designed to allow pilots to escape from aircraft during emergencies when continued flight is no longer possible. The effectiveness of an ejection can depend on factors including altitude, speed, aircraft condition and the pilot’s ability to activate the system in time.
The reported death of one pilot highlights the risks associated with military aviation. Fighter pilots routinely operate aircraft at high speeds and often perform demanding manoeuvres. Even during peacetime or training activities, aviation accidents can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
The latest incident also comes against the background of Russia’s continued use of combat aircraft during the war in Ukraine. Russian Su-35S aircraft have been deployed for various missions during the conflict. However, there is currently no confirmed information establishing that the two aircraft involved in the Kursk incident were engaged in combat at the time of the collision.
Kursk’s geographical position makes the incident particularly sensitive. The region borders Ukraine and has previously been affected by cross-border attacks and military operations. Nevertheless, the available reports have not indicated that the two Su-35S aircraft were destroyed by an external attack.
The reported collision is now expected to be examined by Russian aviation and military authorities. An investigation would normally seek to determine the sequence of events before the collision, the flight paths of both aircraft, communication between the pilots and ground control, weather conditions and the condition of the aircraft.
Investigators may also examine the recovered wreckage for evidence of technical problems. Aircraft maintenance records, flight data and communications could potentially help determine whether mechanical or human factors contributed to the accident.
The lack of an immediate detailed official statement means that several aspects of the incident remain uncertain. The identities of the pilots, the precise location of the collision, the circumstances of the flight and the condition of the surviving pilot may become clearer if Russian authorities release additional information.
It is also important to distinguish between reports and confirmed facts. The collision itself has been reported by multiple outlets, while the reported death of one pilot and survival of the other has been attributed to Russian military sources and regional reports. The cause of the accident has not been established publicly.
The incident could result in additional scrutiny of Russian military aviation procedures, particularly if investigators determine that human error, communication problems or technical issues contributed to the collision. Any such conclusions would require official evidence and should not be assumed before the investigation is completed.
For now, the reported loss of one pilot and two Su-35S aircraft represents a serious military aviation incident in the Kursk region. The surviving pilot is reportedly receiving attention following the emergency ejection, while authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances that led to the collision.
Further updates are likely to depend on statements from Russian authorities and information released by investigators. Until an official investigation provides more details, the exact cause of the midair collision remains unknown.