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Newly declassified information sheds light on the tragic death of Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet Union's first cosmonaut. Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov has shared previously secret details, suggesting a critical factor in the crash may have been the risky actions of another aircraft.

The Official Account vs. Leonov's Hypothesis

Yuri Gagarin and his instructor, Vladimir Seryogin, died on March 27, 1968, during a routine training flight. The official conclusion stated that the aircraft sharply banked, entered a spin, and crashed. However, Alexei Leonov disputes this version, asserting that the actual cause of the accident was different.

A Dangerous Encounter

According to Leonov, on the day of the accident, an unauthorized Sukhoi Su-15 fighter jet appeared in the airspace where Gagarin's plane was flying. The pilot of this fighter jet allegedly disregarded safety regulations, descending below the designated altitude and passing extremely close to Gagarin's aircraft, approximately 10-15 meters away, emerging from the clouds.

The Aftermath of the Encounter

This close proximity created a powerful air turbulence that caused Gagarin's aircraft to lose its balance. The plane then entered a spin and crashed at a speed of approximately 750 kilometers per hour. Despite the crew's attempts to correct the situation, they were unable to recover.

Unveiling the Secret

Alexei Leonov stated that these details were confirmed after classified documents were declassified, identifying this as the primary cause of the accident. He believes that the violation of flight procedures and the failure to adhere to safety requirements led to the tragic event. Leonov expressed regret that members of the commission knew the truth but kept it secret for an extended period.

The identity of the pilot of the Su-15 jet was not disclosed. Although Leonov received permission to reveal this information, he promised to keep the pilot's name confidential due to his age and health condition.

This information was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.