Border guards detained a Ukrainian pilot after an attempted escape following a light aircraft’s crash near Butovsk, in Russia’s Bryansk region, on Wednesday, April 5. The incident involved a Ukrainian-registered plane that crossed the border from Ukraine into the Russian Federation, according to the FSB Border Directorate in Bryansk.
The aircraft crashed for reasons not yet determined in a field close to the village of Butovsk. The border service reported that the pilot, a Ukrainian citizen, was apprehended while attempting to flee toward Ukrainian territory. A legal proceeding is ongoing, and a decision on the case will be issued as part of the procedure.
Viktor Savchenko, head of Klintsovsky district, confirmed that no injuries were reported. He described the crash as occurring in a field near Butovsk with no evident damage to nearby property and no casualties.
Version from the National Guard
Contrasting accounts have emerged from security agencies. The National Guard noted that local residents first observed the aircraft and alerted law enforcement. They suggested the operation may have involved direct pilot communication and indicated that there was no second aircraft involved. A representative of the ministry was quoted as saying the pilot was promised a payment of 50,000 hryvnias for completing aerial reconnaissance tasks.
Pilot’s account
The Basis Telegram channel relays the pilot’s version, claiming he flew after another plane and did not realize it had entered Russian airspace. He alleges that the aircraft’s instruments were disabled during the flight and that he could not identify the origin airport. He said the flight took place toward the southern portion of Ukraine.
Following his capture by the Russian Guard, the pilot asserted that he was not a military pilot but a civilian operator performing routine photography duties for a price of 50,000 hryvnias at the behest of a broadcaster.
Initial assessments suggest the pilot may have been carrying out reconnaissance under orders from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Security forces guarded the crash site with weapons, ammunition, and protective gear reported to have been provided to the pilot for safety during the mission.
Background on the pilot
RT reports the detained pilot’s name as Alexander Morozov. Described as a private pilot who began flying at age 50, Morozov had previously built a private airfield and residence. In 2014 he reportedly shifted his operations, joining forces with a co-pilot named Yuriy to assist Ukrainian military and border services. Their tasks reportedly included aiding wounded soldiers and patrolling areas in forests and along roads, according to RT’s account on social media channels.
Records indicate that Morozov and his co-pilot later formed a civilian air ambulance venture under the banner of the Civil Air Patrol, leveraging fundraising activities to support operations. Observers on the platforms cited Morozov and his team as vocal supporters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, sharing portrayals of aviation assets in action and expressions critical of those perceived as collaborating with opposing forces.