Ukrainian forces have reportedly damaged a Russian Su-57 jet in a drone strike, marking the first time such an advanced aircraft has been hit during the ongoing conflict. The strike occurred on Saturday at the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region, located approximately 365 miles from the current front lines in eastern Ukraine, according to Kyiv’s GUR military intelligence agency.
The attack was confirmed by one of Russia’s prominent military bloggers, who stated that a Ukrainian drone had targeted the airfield, resulting in shrapnel damage to the Su-57. The Fighterbomber Telegram channel, often a reliable source of information on Russian military losses, mentioned that it is still being determined whether the damaged aircraft can be restored.
Moscow has consistently kept its fleet of fifth-generation Su-57 stealth jets away from the front lines, primarily to avoid exposure to Ukraine’s air defense systems. Unlike the more frequently used Su-35 jets, Su-57 fighters have played a minimal role in the Kremlin’s air operations over Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine claims to have destroyed 357 Russian aircraft, none of which were Su-57s.
Kyiv’s GUR military intelligence agency released satellite images purportedly showing the Su-57 before and after the strike, with noticeable fire damage around the aircraft in the post-strike images. This report remains unverified by independent sources.
The Akhtubinsk airfield is the only known base for Russia’s Su-57 jets, serving as a hub for testing new aircraft systems, radars, and weaponry. The damaged jet is speculated to be one of the prototypes used for such testing. If confirmed, the loss would significantly impact Russia’s ability to integrate new technologies into its military operations.
Despite the Su-57’s advanced capabilities, the aircraft has been kept at a safe distance from Ukrainian territory, typically operating within Russian airspace using long-range missiles such as the Kh-59 and Kh-69. These missiles have been used in attacks on Ukraine.
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