Russian forces reportedly shot down their own S-70 “Okhotnik-B” heavy stealth drone during a test flight over the Donetsk region of Ukraine on Saturday. The drone allegedly lost control and headed towards Ukrainian-controlled territory near Kostiantynivka, prompting Russian military officials to destroy it to prevent its capture. A video shared on social media shows a Russian Su-57 fighter firing an air-to-air missile to bring down the drone.
Jaw-dropping video of (reportedly) a Russian Su-57 shooting down its ‘loyal wingman’ Okhotnik drone after the latter went out of control during testing. Specifics uncertain, but damn WHAT A VIDEO! 😳 pic.twitter.com/HJRZFiR6kL
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) October 6, 2024
The S-70 “Okhotnik-B” is a heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by Sukhoi and MiG, designed to operate in coordination with Russia’s Su-57 fighter. Weighing approximately 20 tons, with a wingspan of 20 meters, the S-70 is Russia’s first stealth drone, featuring advanced composite materials to reduce its radar signature. It made its maiden flight in 2019 and has undergone testing in both simulated and real-world conditions. The drone involved in the October 5 incident took off from the Akhtubinsk Air Base in Volgograd Oblast, approximately 600 kilometers from the front lines, as part of experimental trials aimed at testing its capabilities in live combat scenarios.
Reports suggest that a technical malfunction caused the drone to lose contact with its ground operators, veering off course toward Ukrainian-held areas. Radio intercepts from Russian military communication indicate that the loss of control created a sense of panic among the Russian operators. Ground commanders reportedly considered various methods to regain control, including using the accompanying Su-57 fighter to physically disrupt the drone’s flight path. When these attempts failed, Russian authorities ordered the Su-57 pilot to fire a missile and destroy the drone.
The drone crashed in Ukrainian-controlled Kostiantynivka, and Ukrainian forces swiftly moved to recover its wreckage. Although it is unclear how much intelligence could be gathered from the remnants, early assessments suggest that Ukraine could analyze the materials and technology used in the drone’s construction. Initial findings reportedly challenge Russian claims about the drone’s capabilities, suggesting it may lack advanced features like stealth polymers and artificial intelligence systems that had been advertised by Russian authorities.
The Okhotnik’s wreckage is now in Ukrainian hands, giving Kyiv’s military and its allies access to sensitive Russian drone technology. “They will disassemble it down to the last screw,” commented Fighterbomber, a Telegram channel affiliated with the Russian air force.
Video from the crash site of a Russian Su-25 which was downed this morning in the Kontantynivka area, Donetsk front. Aircraft crashed on the territory controlled by Ukrainian forces. https://t.co/BGKwfcYN8e pic.twitter.com/1NqokzEufB
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) October 5, 2024
The S-70’s destruction represents a significant loss, with the unit costing an estimated $15 to $18 million. Despite being an experimental system, Russia has positioned the Okhotnik-B as a crucial part of its future air operations, intended to work alongside manned aircraft like the Su-57. The drone’s development began in 2011 with funding from the Russian Ministry of Defense, and its design draws from earlier unmanned aircraft concepts like the Mikoyan-Gurevich “Skat.”
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