Viktor Skorobogatov, identified as a suspect in the arson attempt at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant, will spend the next two months in custody. The Leninsky district court of Novosibirsk city made this decision, according to the court’s official proceedings.
In early May, two unidentified individuals attempted to ignite a Su-24 bomber at the aviation factory in Novosibirsk. The attack unfolded on the grounds of the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant, VA Chkalov airfield, where the assailants sought to start a large fire near the aircraft. Afterward, they circulated a video on social networks claiming that the bomber was completely destroyed, a claim that drew attention from city authorities and the public alike.
Investigators later found traces of flammable liquid beneath the chassis of the Su-24, which had been kept at the flight test station without its engine since the start of May. Despite the severity of the footage circulated online, the aircraft sustained minimal damage, and security forces described the incident as an act of attempted arson that could have caused extensive harm if not thwarted in time.
On May 15, the inspector in charge of particularly important cases reviewed the petition in the district court. The document requested the detention of Viktor Skorobogatov, who faced charges under Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, as alleged by the preliminary inquiry team.
The court ultimately ordered pre-trial detention for Skorobogatov until July 12. Those charged under Article 281 confront a potential sentence ranging from several years to a lengthy prison term, depending on the findings of the investigation and the outcomes of the trial. The decision reflects the authorities’ emphasis on preventing further attempts to damage critical military assets and on ensuring a thorough examination of the incident and its broader security implications, as reported by the district court and corroborated by investigative records.