Ukrainian Drone Strike Allegedly Destroys Rare Russian Su-57 Stealth Fighter

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In a significant development amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukraine's military announced on Sunday that it had successfully destroyed one of Russia’s most advanced fighter jets, the Sukhoi Su-57, in a drone strike. This strike targeted a military base deep inside Russia, marking a strategic blow to Russia's aerial capabilities.

 

The Sukhoi Su-57, referred to as the "Felon" by NATO, was reportedly struck while on the tarmac of an airbase located in the Astrakhan region, approximately 600 kilometers (372 miles) behind the front lines of the conflict. Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency (GUR) provided satellite images as evidence to support their claim. These images, shared on GUR’s Telegram channel, showed that the Su-57 was intact on June 7, but by June 8, craters and fire damage were evident near the jet, suggesting the aftermath of the drone strike.

 

 

The Su-57 is a supersonic, twin-engine, fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, developed by Russia as a counterpart to Western stealth jets such as the US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor. Despite its advanced design, the development of the Su-57 has faced numerous setbacks since it began in 2002. The jet experienced a high-profile crash during a 2019 test flight, and the Russian military only started receiving these aircraft in 2020. Before this, the Su-57 was tested in combat conditions in Syria in 2018.

 

One of the notable features of the Su-57 is its ability to carry Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles, which allow it to launch attacks from within Russian airspace, posing a significant threat to Ukraine. However, the jet's effectiveness and capabilities have been a subject of debate among experts. While some have cast doubt on its performance compared to Western stealth fighters like the F-22, Russian officials have been vocal in praising the Su-57’s role in their military operations, particularly in Ukraine. Former Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu lauded the aircraft in 2022, stating that it had shown exceptional performance and possessed powerful weaponry.

 

Despite these claims, the exact number of operational Su-57s in the Russian fleet remains unclear. According to Flight Global’s “World Air Forces 2024” directory, there are 14 active Su-57s, with another 62 on order. TASS, a state-run news agency, reported in 2022 that Russian forces were expected to have a total of 22 Su-57s by the end of 2023. The GUR Telegram post emphasized that the Russian Aerospace Forces currently have a limited number of these aircraft in service.

 

The reported destruction of the Su-57 by a Ukrainian drone represents a notable achievement for Kyiv, demonstrating the effectiveness of low-cost drones in neutralizing high-value Russian military assets. The estimated cost of an Su-57 ranges from $35 million to $54 million, making its loss a significant financial blow to Russia. Ukrainian drones have increasingly proven their worth, having previously been used to sink or severely damage Russian warships in the Black Sea and to target tanks and armored vehicles on the battlefield.

 

This incident also underscores a growing concern for Russia regarding the security of its military bases, even those far removed from the front lines. CNN contributor Jill Dougherty noted that this trend of Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russian territory is becoming a significant worry for Moscow. She highlighted that the Ukrainians are effectively taking the battle into Russian territory, which poses a new strategic challenge for Russian defenses.

In the wake of the strike, Russian military bloggers have criticized the military’s lack of protective measures for their advanced aircraft. They argued that constructing hangars to shield the Su-57s could have been a cost-effective measure, especially when considering that the price of building protective hangars at every airbase could be equivalent to the cost of a single Su-57. This criticism reflects broader concerns about the Russian military's preparedness and infrastructure.

 

If verified, the destruction of the Su-57 by a Ukrainian drone not only represents a tactical victory for Ukraine but also a strategic challenge for Russia. It highlights the vulnerability of even the most advanced military assets to innovative and low-cost warfare tactics, reshaping the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.

 

Credit: CNN 2024-06-11

 

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