Ukrainian MiG-29 Lost on Combat Mission in Poltava Region, Pilot Survives

A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet was lost during a nighttime combat mission in the central Poltava region on June 27, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

According to a statement on Telegram, military officials lost communication with the aircraft while it was carrying out its assigned tasks. The Air Force confirmed that the aircraft was destroyed but reported that the pilot survived the incident.

“We confirm the loss of the aircraft, but the Ukrainian pilot successfully ejected, contacted the search and rescue team, and was promptly delivered to a medical facility for examination and necessary assistance,” the Air Force statement read.

Military officials have launched an inquiry to establish the precise causes and circumstances surrounding the loss of the aircraft.

Ongoing investigation into fatal Su-24M crash

The loss of the MiG-29 follows another recent aviation incident involving the Ukrainian Air Force. Earlier this month, a Su-24M bomber crashed in the Shepetivka district of the western Khmelnytskyi region, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Su-24M went down on the evening of June 16 during a scheduled training flight, killing the two pilots, aged 55 and 23.

Ukrainian investigators, including specialists from the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR), are currently working to decode the aircraft’s flight recorder to ascertain the cause of the accident. The investigation is examining the aircraft’s technical condition, adherence to flight preparation protocols, and operational procedures.

Other Topics of Interest

Ukrainian Navy Destroys Russian Supply Boat Near Tendra Spit

The Ukrainian Navy reported the destruction of a Russian boat attempting to resupply occupying forces on the Tendra Spit in the Kherson region.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has opened a criminal case under Article 416 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which addresses violations of flight regulations or preparation procedures resulting in serious consequences. In addition to the criminal probe, the Ministry of Defense and the Air Force Command have established internal commissions to investigate the crash.

The Su-24M is a variable-sweep wing, twin-engine supersonic bomber developed during the Soviet era. Despite a declining number of operational airframes due to wartime attrition and maintenance challenges, Ukraine has heavily relied on its Su-24 fleet since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

The aircraft have been instrumental in delivering significant long-range strikes, including targeted attacks on Russian Black Sea Fleet infrastructure in occupied Sevastopol.