The SBI is investigating the crash of a MiG-29 fighter jet during a combat mission in the Odesa region

The State Bureau of Investigation combats offenses in the military sphere, particularly those that result in the loss of military equipment and endanger the lives of service members.

The employees of the SBI have opened a criminal proceeding into the crash MiG-29 fighter jet of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which occurred on the evening of August 10, 2026, in the Berezivsky District of Odesa region.

According to preliminary reports, the fighter jet was on a combat mission to destroy enemy drones.

However, during the active phase of the operation, an emergency occurred, causing the aircraft to catch fire and the pilot to lose control, but he managed to eject. His life is not in danger.

Immediately after the fighter jet crashed, an investigative team of the SBI arrived at the scene and worked there throughout the night. The employees of the SBI inspected the area, recovered and documented the aircraft debris, gathered necessary evidence, and interviewed witnesses and military personnel.

The search for the flight data recorder—the so-called «black box»—is currently underway. The data from it will be crucial for determining the circumstances of the final minutes of the flight. Once this information has been obtained and analyzed, investigators will be able to identify and announce preliminary theories regarding the causes of the aviation incident.

The investigation should also verify compliance with the rules governing flight preparation, flight execution, and aircraft operation.

The information has been entered into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations under Part 2 of Article 416 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—violation of flight rules or rules governing flight preparation, as well as rules governing the operation of aircraft, resulting in a crash.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing.

The procedural guidance is provided by the Odessa Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Defense Affairs in the Southern Region.