Russian skydiver Sergey Boytcov has set a world record after completing a jump from a hot-air balloon at an altitude of 11,551 metres in support of the 2026 International Festival of Youth.
The record-breaking jump, undertaken ahead of Russia’s National Flag Day, surpassed the previous mark of 10,060 metres set by Polish extreme athletes.
Boytcov, a multiple Russian and world record holder, completed the feat under the Stratum Jump 11–12 project, an initiative by Russian company Created by the Heavens aimed at reaching an altitude above 11,000 metres.
During the jump, his free-fall speed exceeded 500 kilometres per hour, with the entire descent lasting seven minutes and 19 seconds.
His parachute was successfully deployed at an altitude of 1,565 metres before he landed safely in the Ust-Kalmanka District of Russia’s Altai Territory.
The hot-air balloon was piloted by Ivan Menyaylo, President of the Balloon Federation of Russia and a world champion, with flight engineer Denis Efremov also on board. The balloon remained airborne for more than three hours before the crew landed safely.
The balloon itself reached a maximum altitude of 11,610 metres, setting a new Russian national record and surpassing the previous mark of 10,678 metres established in 2025 by Russian explorer Fyodor Konyukhov and Menyaylo in the same region.
Boytcov, who celebrated his birthday on August 15, described the achievement as the most memorable experience of his life.
“We achieved something that not long ago seemed impossible,” he said.
He attributed the feat to the collective efforts of engineers, pilots and other members of the project team, adding that he was particularly proud that the record was achieved in Russia using domestically manufactured equipment.
Boytcov dedicated the achievement to his country ahead of National Flag Day and to the International Festival of Youth – 2026.
“I hope our example shows young people all over the world that even the boldest goals become reality when they are backed by knowledge, hard work, a team, and belief in the outcome,” he said.
Preparations for the attempt involved navigating extreme conditions at more than 11 kilometres above the ground, where temperatures dropped to minus 59 degrees Celsius.
With support from Russia’s Roscosmos State Corporation, Boytcov underwent a test ascent in a pressure chamber at the Cosmonaut Training Centre, simulating conditions at an altitude of 12 kilometres.
Equipment was also tested at temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius, while the athlete rehearsed aspects of the jump in a wind tunnel.
Boytcov, from Klin in the Moscow Region, has more than 25 years of experience in the sport and has completed over 2,000 jumps. He is also chief executive of Created by the Heavens and holds a USPA Category D licence.
The project received support from several Russian institutions, including the Ministry of Sport, Russian Olympic Committee, State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sport, Roscosmos and the Federal Air Transport Agency.
The record attempt was held in support of the International Festival of Youth, scheduled to take place in Ekaterinburg from September 11 to 17, 2026.
The festival, being organised under Russia’s Youth and Children national project, is expected to bring together 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries.
Organisers say participants will comprise 5,000 Russians and 5,000 foreign nationals, including 1,000 teenagers aged between 14 and 17.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree establishing the international youth event on December 29, 2025.
The 2026 festival will be held under the theme, “Follow Your Dream”.
