InformNapalm, a Ukraine-linked volunteer cyber-intelligence group, claims intercepted communications and training footage exposed vulnerabilities in a Russian BARS air-defence unit that were allegedly exploited to make the system engage a Russian Su-57. Moscow's Defense Ministry says the jet crashed because of a technical malfunction and denies outside interference. There is no independent verification yet. Russia's aviation authority has lowered flight ceilings near Moscow amid heightened drone concerns, raising operational and safety questions.
Did Russian Air Defences Shoot Down Their Own $50M Su-57? InformNapalm Claims Cyber-Enabled Friendly Fire
Credit: Breaking Defense
A Russian Su-57 fighter jet recently crashed in the Moscow region, and a Ukraine-linked volunteer intelligence group says the aircraft was downed not by enemy action but by a manipulated Russian air-defence unit.
InformNapalm's Account
InformNapalm, a volunteer cyber-intelligence collective, says its analysts reviewed intercepted Russian communications and training-ground footage of a BARS air-defence unit tasked with countering long-range Ukrainian drones over Moscow. The group says that work allowed researchers to map personnel routines, hardware and software configurations, and combat algorithms tied to the system — and to identify specific vulnerabilities.
According to InformNapalm, those findings were passed to the Ukrainian Defense Forces and used in a coordinated human-and-cyber operation that allegedly manipulated the targeted unit into engaging one of its own jets. The organization says the downed aircraft is an Su-57, one of Russia's most advanced fighters, valued at roughly $50 million.
'We thank our friends — cyber specialists of the future Cyber Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.'
Moscow's Response
The Russian Ministry of Defense strongly disputes InformNapalm's version of events, attributing the crash to a technical malfunction and denying any external interference or sabotage. Russian officials have not publicly provided independent forensic evidence to support either account.
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Context And Verification
InformNapalm points to prior operations — including a 2025 release dubbed OKBMLeaks, which published supplier documents later picked up by international outlets — to underline its investigative track record. Nevertheless, there is currently no independent verification of InformNapalm's claim, and outside intelligence communities have not confirmed the group's account.
Broader Impact
In the wake of the incident, Russia's civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya, lowered maximum flight altitudes near Moscow airports and banned some transit flights across the region, citing increased Ukrainian drone activity. Airlines warn the new routing could add 20 to 30 minutes to affected flights, and outlets such as Kommersant have raised concerns that lower ceilings may increase the risk of bird strikes.
At present, investigators and competing intelligence narratives remain in direct conflict: the crash could have resulted from a cyber-enabled friendly-fire event, sabotage, or a genuine technical fault. Independent verification will be required to determine the true cause.
Credit: Breaking Defense; Via Army Inform (translated)
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