Politics

Ukrainian Strike Hits Russia's Prized Su-57 Stealth Fighter Jet

Monday 10 June 2024 - 11:40

In an audacious move, Ukrainian forces have struck a cutting-edge Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet at an airbase deep inside Russia, according to Kyiv's GUR defense intelligence agency. The agency shared satellite images that it claims confirm the attack on the latest-generation stealth fighter.

In a Telegram post on Sunday, the GUR did not specify how the Su-57 was hit or by which unit of the Ukrainian military, marking the first such attack on Russian soil.

The satellite images reveal black soot marks and small craters dotting the concrete strip around the parked aircraft, a chilling testament to the precision of the strike.

Corroborating the report, a popular Russian pro-war military blogger known as Fighterbomber, who specializes in aviation, acknowledged the strike on the Su-57, stating that it had been hit by a drone.

According to the GUR, the aircraft was parked at the Akhtubinsk airfield, a staggering 589 kilometers (366 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine.

"The pictures show that on June 7, the Su-57 was standing intact, and on June 8, there were craters from the explosion and characteristic spots of fire damage near it," the GUR said, posting the images alongside the message.

The Ukrainian military agency emphasized that the plane, capable of carrying stealth missiles across hundreds of kilometers, was among "a countable few" of its kind in Moscow's arsenal. According to reports from Russian agencies, "more than 10" new Su-57s were added to Moscow's fleet last year, with a total of 76 ordered for delivery by 2028.

Potential First Combat Loss of the Su-57

Ukraine has been engaged in a fierce battle against a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022. With a limited arsenal of missiles compared to Moscow's vast stockpile, Ukraine has focused on developing long-range drones to strike targets deep inside Russia.

Russian blogger Fighterbomber stated that the jet fighter was struck by shrapnel, and the damage is currently being assessed to determine if the aircraft can be repaired. He acknowledged that if the plane is deemed beyond repair, it would be the first combat loss of a Su-57.

Russia's military bloggers like Fighterbomber have become crucial sources of information on military losses in the absence of official Kremlin comments. Russia's Ministry of Defense and senior political figures have not yet commented on the claimed attack.

Despite being touted as a Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft to rival its US counterpart, the Su-57 has been plagued by development delays and a crash in 2019. According to its manufacturer, serial production of the aircraft began in 2022.

As Ukraine's remarkable strike on the prized Su-57 stealth fighter jet sends shockwaves through the conflict, it serves as a stark reminder of the country's resilience and determination in the face of Russian aggression, even as the war continues to rage on with no end in sight.