Su-24M crash in Khmelnytskyi Oblast: Witnesses questioned, DNA identification completed – photos

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) says it is continuing to establish all the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two Ukrainian servicemen in an aircraft crash in Khmelnytskyi Oblast on 16 June 2026.

Source: State Bureau of Investigation

Details: According to investigators, the flight was the aircraft's second mission of the day. Technical personnel found no faults with the aircraft before either sortie, and all required documentation had been completed in accordance with regulations.

The SBI confirmed that the pilots were carrying out a combat mission, the details of which have been disclosed to investigators. However, the information is not being made public for national security reasons.

The investigation also dismissed reports circulated online claiming that one of the pilots had ejected from the aircraft, saying those claims were false.

As part of the investigation, detectives have conducted dozens of interviews, including with the servicemen's family members, commanders and fellow personnel. According to witnesses, both pilots underwent the required medical examinations before the sortie, reported no health concerns and were in good spirits. They were described as professional servicemen who were highly respected by their colleagues, and investigators found no family-related issues that could be relevant to the inquiry.

Molecular genetic testing has confirmed the identities of the two deceased servicemen through DNA analysis.

The SBI has once again expressed its sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the two servicemen.

A separate internal investigation by the Ukrainian Air Force Command is also ongoing. Once it is completed, an independent aviation technical examination will be commissioned.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted under Article 416.2 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, which covers violations of flight or flight preparation rules resulting in a crash or other serious consequences.

Background:

• A Su-24M frontline bomber from the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Petro Franko crashed in Khmelnytskyi Oblast on the evening of 16 June. Both crew members – the pilot and the navigator – were killed.
• The crash occurred at around 19:05 during a training flight. The Ukrainian Air Force identified the crew members as Major Bohdan Zahorulko, 55, and Senior Lieutenant Bohdan Babenko, 23.
• On 17 June, investigators began decoding the aircraft's flight recorder while the Air Force Command launched an internal investigation into the crash.

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