Fighter Jet Crashes in Kaliningrad Region During Training Flight

Oct. 21, 2026 Anna Zvereva (CC BY-SA 2.0) A Russian Su-30 fighter jet crashed in the western Kaliningrad region during a routine training flight, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The two-member crew successfully ejected from the aircraft and was later found by a search and rescue team, the ministry said, adding that “there is no threat to the lives of the pilots.” It added that the fighter jet crashed in an unpopulated area and was not carrying any weapons on board. The cause of the incident was not immediately clear. Some Russian news outlets reported that the Su-30 went down in an area surrounding the Chernyakhovsk naval airbase, a hub for the Russian Navy’s Baltic Sea Fleet. An eyewitness video circulating on social media showed a fireball and a thick column of smoke rising in the air following the crash. In the video, a group of men in military uniforms are seen standing at a cemetery, which is located east of the airbase, looking toward the site of the incident. A similar military air crash took place in the Far Eastern Amur region late last month when six crew members on board a Russian bomber plane were killed. Read more about: Kaliningrad , Defense Ministry , Accidents Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia Says No Survivors in Military Cargo Plane Crash Seven people were on board the plane, which was undergoing a test flight after repair work. 1 Min read Apartment Residents Seek Damages for Deadly Russian Fighter Jet Crash Sixteen people were killed and 43 others were injured when a Su-34 fighter jet crashed into an apartment in the town of Yeysk in October 2022. 1 Min read Russian Defense Minister Calls to Speed Up Bomber Production The Kremlin has announced a massive spending hike to accommodate its military needs in Ukraine as its large-scale offensive approaches its second year... 1 Min read Russia Defense Minister Says N.Korea 'An Important Partner' During Visit The Russian delegation's meeting with defense officials in Pyongyang would "contribute to strengthening cooperation between our ministries of defense,"... 1 Min read