On April 28, 2025, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reported the loss of a Su-27 fighter jet during a complex combat mission. As stated in the official statement, the incident occurred on the morning of April 28 during air support for troops and repelling an attack by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pilot successfully ejected, was quickly evacuated by a search and rescue team and taken to a medical facility for examination. His condition is assessed as stable, there is no threat to life and health. A special commission has launched an investigation into the causes of the accident.

The Su-27 was carrying out the task of covering ground forces and intercepting Russian drones, probably of the Geran type, which are actively used to attack Ukrainian infrastructure. A source in the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, quoted by Ukrainska Pravda, specified that the aircraft could have been damaged as a result of a collision with the debris of a downed UAV or due to a technical malfunction. The exact circumstances have not yet been established, but the commission is studying the onboard data and the pilot's testimony.

However, sources note that the fighter could have been shot down by friendly fire.