Sergey Boytcov Sets New Stratosphere World Record with 11,551-Metre Hot-Air Balloon Jump

Russian skydiver Sergey Boytcov has established a new world record for the highest jump from a hot-air balloon, plummeting from an altitude of 11,551 metres in the stratosphere. This remarkable feat, executed as part of the 'Stratum Jump 11–12' project, significantly surpassed the previous record of 10,060 metres. The jump was timed to coincide with the lead-up to Russia's National Flag Day and serves as a high-profile promotional event for the upcoming International Festival of Youth 2026.

The mission involved a hot-air balloon piloted by Ivan Menyaylo, which reached a peak altitude of 11,610 metres, setting a new Russian national altitude record for such aircraft in the process. Upon exiting the balloon, Boytcov entered a high-velocity free fall that reached speeds exceeding 500 km/h. The entire descent lasted 7 minutes and 19 seconds before the skydiver successfully deployed his parachute at 1,565 metres and landed safely. Boytcov credited the success of the record-breaking attempt to rigorous teamwork and the use of domestic innovation, highlighting the technical coordination required for such an extreme altitude jump.

Beyond the sporting achievement, the project received significant institutional support from various Russian bodies, including the state space corporation Roscosmos. Boytcov dedicated the jump to the International Festival of Youth 2026, which is scheduled to take place in Ekaterinburg under the theme 'Follow Your Dream.' The festival aims to gather approximately 10,000 young leaders from across the globe, using Boytcov's record as a symbol of the determination and perseverance required to achieve ambitious goals. The technical data from the high-speed descent is also expected to contribute to broader understandings of high-altitude survival and equipment performance.