Russian Su-57 crashes near Moscow; Ukrainian hackers accused of manipulating air defense to down jet

Published Jul 24, 01:02 PM UTC

On July 23, 2026, a Russian Su-57 fighter jet crashed near Zvenigorod in the Moscow region. Russia's defense ministry cited a technical malfunction, but independent group Inform Napalm claims Ukrainian hackers manipulated the Russian air defense unit Bars Moscow into downing the aircraft. The group says it analyzed training footage of Bars Moscow, identified vulnerabilities, and enabled a 'cognitive influence and cyber intervention' that turned Russian air defenses against their own jet. The incident coincides with a major Russian mechanized assault toward Dobropillia, which reportedly failed despite counter-drone systems. The Su-57 is Russia's most advanced fifth-generation fighter, recently praised by Putin. Ukrainian military and intelligence have not commented. If confirmed, this would be the first known case of a combat aircraft destroyed via cyberattack.