Ukraine claims to have struck a Russian Su-57 fighter jet for the first time.
According to Kyiv’s GUR defence intelligence agency. The agency released satellite images purportedly showing the aftermath of the attack at an airbase inside Russia. The images, dated June 7 and 8, depict the jet intact and surrounded by explosion craters and signs of fire damage.
The strike, as confirmed by a Russian pro-war military blogger known as Fighterbomber, was allegedly carried out by a drone. He noted that the jet suffered shrapnel damage, and assessments were ongoing to determine if it could be repaired. If irreparable, this would mark the first combat loss of a Su-57.
The GUR stated the targeted aircraft was parked at the Akhtubinsk airfield, located 589 km (366 miles) from the Ukraine-Russia front lines. Ukrainian forces, constrained by a smaller missile arsenal compared to Russia, have increasingly relied on long-range drones for deep strikes.
Russian military correspondent Alexander Kharchenko commented indirectly on the event, lamenting the absence of adequate hangar protection for military aircraft. Despite its advanced billing as a fifth-generation fighter, the Su-57 has faced numerous setbacks, including development delays and a crash in 2019. Its serial production commenced in 2022, as confirmed by the manufacturer.
