In the Khmelnytskyi region, around 19:00 on June 16, 2026, an aviation accident occurred involving a Su-24M frontline bomber of the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Petro Franko of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Both crew members were killed.
This was stated by the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram.
The crew of the Su-24M — a pilot and a navigator — was carrying out a mission.
“Unfortunately, both pilots have died. 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 Forces said.
Rescuers and law enforcement officers are working at the crash site. According to preliminary information, there are no civilian casualties.
The causes and circumstances of the crash are being investigated.
