Three Russian Tu-95MS bomber officers die in Amur region crash
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Three Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber officers died when their aircraft crashed on September 29, 2026, during a training flight near Krasnoyarovo in the Amur region. Russia's Ministry of Defense said six crew members were killed and one was injured. Ukrainian researchers link the officers to missile strikes on Ukraine.
Key Facts
- The crash occurred on September 29, 2026, during a training flight near the village of Krasnoyarovo in the Amur region.
- Russia's Ministry of Defense reported six crew members killed and one injured.
- Lieutenant Colonel Fedor Pavlyukov was deputy commander for flight training of the 182nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment.
- Major Andriy Herasymov commanded a Tu-95MS squadron in the 121st Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment.
- Major Andriy Lobanov was deputy commander of a Tu-95MS squadron at military unit 75715.
The Crash
A Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber crashed on September 29, 2026, during a training flight near the village of Krasnoyarovo in the Amur region. Russia's Ministry of Defense said six crew members were killed and another was injured and evacuated to a medical facility. The three officers killed were Lieutenant Colonel Fedor Pavlyukov and Majors Andriy Herasymov and Andriy Lobanov.
Officers' Roles
According to the Ukrainian project 'Book of Executioners,' Fedor Pavlyukov was deputy commander for flight training of the 182nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment. From August 2021 to April 2024, Pavlyukov commanded a squadron of Tu-95MS aircraft in the regiment. Ukrainian researchers say Pavlyukov was responsible for preparing pilots for combat missions and link him to the planning and execution of missile strikes on Ukraine. Major Andriy Herasymov commanded a Tu-95MS squadron in the 121st Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division. From June 2022 to October 2024, Herasymov was deputy squadron commander. Major Andriy Lobanov was deputy commander of a Tu-95MS squadron at military unit 75715.
Strategic Aviation Strain
The crash occurred amid intensive use of Russian strategic bombers. Following Ukrainian strikes on military airfields, Russia began moving Tu-95MS aircraft more frequently between Engels-2 air base and Ukrainka air base in the Amur region. At Engels-2, aircraft can be prepared for combat sorties and armed with Kh-101 cruise missiles. The remote Ukrainka air base is used to disperse strategic aircraft and reduce their vulnerability to Ukrainian attacks. Flights between the Russian Far East and its European part can be lengthy: the range of an individual combat sortie exceeds 12,000 kilometers, and the flight can last nearly a day.