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Su-24M aircraft crashes in Khmelnytskyi region, killing both pilots

16 June 2026 22:57 (UTC +04:00)

In the Khmelnytskyi region, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on June 16, 2026, a Su-24M frontline bomber belonging to the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Petro Franko of the Ukrainian Air Force crashed; both crew members were killed, the Ukrainian Air Force informed this on Telegram, APA reports citing Ukrinform.

The Su-24M crew—the pilot and navigator—were on a mission.

“Unfortunately, both pilots were killed. We express our sincere condolences to the families of Major Bohdan Zaharulko and Senior Lieutenant Bohdan Babenko; they defended our country until their last breath,” the Air Force stated.

Rescue workers and law enforcement officers are on the scene of the crash. According to preliminary information, there are no civilian casualties.

The causes and circumstances of the crash are under investigation.