December and January have shown that flying in Russia increasingly feels like a lottery, with accidents becoming the new normal. Sanctions, a shortage of spare parts and operating aircraft “to the last bolt” are pushing the sector to the edge.
Since late 2025, Russia’s civil aviation has been showing clearer consequences of isolation and sanctions. Planes are increasingly returning to their departure airports, crews are shutting down engines in the air, and passengers are learning about problems only after takeoff — by the smell of burning or noticeable airframe vibrations, Economic Pravda reports.
In just one week in December, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) recorded eight aviation incidents, nearly all tied to engine failures.
One of the most telling cases was a Red Wings flight from Moscow to Phuket. Shortly after takeoff, a Boeing’s engine caught fire. The aircraft circled the Moscow region for nearly an hour, dumping fuel, before landing safely.
Passengers later reported a strong jet-fuel smell and visible flames near the engine. The airline described it as a “change in operating parameters.”
Within days, similar incidents were reported at UTair, then involving a Sukhoi Superjet, followed by a Boeing 757, an Airbus A320 and a Boeing 777 - across routes from Sochi and Samara to Dubai and Yakutsk.
Experts say engines have become the weak link in Russian aviation. Without access to original spare parts and certified maintenance, aircraft are being pushed to their limits.
In December and January, reports included unexpected engine shutdowns, oil leaks, severe vibration, cabin depressurization, and repeat emergency landings involving the same airframes.
In one case, a plane attempted the route twice and returned both times because the fault was never resolved.
Russian carriers are increasingly using “deferred defect” procedures — acknowledging a fault but allowing flights to continue.
In practice, that means operating “on hope,” without full repairs. The causes: a lack of original parts, certified service and access to manufacturers.
Travelers are increasingly complaining about dry cabins without water or food, emergency landings, limited information, hours-long delays and fear of getting back on the same plane.
“We flew on a faulty aircraft two times in a row. It was really scary,” said a passenger on a St. Petersburg–Yakutsk flight.
Experts broadly agree the situation will continue to deteriorate. Aircraft are aging, resources are being depleted and there are no replacements in sight. Russia’s civil aviation is shifting into survival mode, where every flight is a compromise between safety and the need to keep flying.
