Support The Moscow Times!

Head of Embattled Russian Plane Maker to Resign – Vedomosti

Sukhoi boss to step down after annus horribilis.

Sukhoi recently delayed delivery of its Su-57 stealth fighter to the Russian Aerospace Forces. Marina Lystseva / TASS

The boss of Sukhoi — Russia’s troubled national plane maker — is expected to resign this week, Russian daily Vedomosti has reported.

Igor Ozar, who has been with the company for more than 20 years, was placed on sick leave last week, and is slated to tender his resignation at a board meeting on Thursday, the paper says, citing industry insiders.

The departure comes after a dismal 2019 for the plane maker, which produces military aircraft for Russia’s armed forces as well as civilian planes. 

In May, 41 passengers died when an Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 made an emergency landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport with full fuel tanks — the Superjet’s second fatal crash in its eight-year history. Following the disaster, regional carrier Yamal Airlines canceled an order for 10 Superjets, and commentators began to question the future of the aircraft.

The company was also forced to delay delivery of its hyped Su-57 stealth fighter to the Russian Aerospace Forces, after it crashed during a test flight in Russia’s Far East last December. The first units were just days away from being delivered, and had already been combat-tested in Syria.

Sukhoi is owned by the United Aircraft Corporation, which is 91%-controlled by the Russian government.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more