Russian Air Defense Mishap Raises Questions About Drone Sightings and Interceptions

Russian aviation blogger Pavel Koshkin was killed in a crash near Moscow on March 20, 2026, in an incident that may have involved mistaken identity by Russian air defenses. The ultralight aircraft, operated by Koshkin, crashed near the Oka River, killing two people on board. An investigation is ongoing, but officials have not announced a preliminary cause. The incident has sparked discussion in Russia’s aviation community about the risk of air defense systems mistaking civilian aircraft for drones.