Ukraine says it has hit a latest-generation Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet for the first time at an air base inside Russia. Kyiv’s GUR defence intelligence agency showed satellite pictures which it said confirmed the strike on Sunday.
The GUR gave the news in a Telegram post. However, it did not specify how the Su-57 was hit or by which unit of the Ukrainian military.
Russian military blogger confirms strike
A popular Russian pro-war military blogger who calls himself Fighterbomber said the report of the strike on the Su-57 was correct. A drone had hit the aircraft.
The GUR said the aircraft was parked at Akhtubinsk airfield. It was located 589 km (366 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine between Ukrainian and Russian invasion forces.
“The pictures show that on June 7, the Su-57 was standing intact, and on (June 8th), there were craters from the explosion and characteristic spots of fire caused by fire damage near it.”
Ukraine has been fighting a Russian invasion since February 2022. Both sides conduct regular strikes hundreds of kilometres into enemy territory with missiles and drones.
Ukraine using drone attacks against Russia
Ukraine lacks the vast arsenal of missiles available to Moscow. It has focused on making long-range drones to strike targets deep inside Russia.
Russian military blogger Fighterbomber said shrapnel struck the jet fighter. If the plane was beyond repair it would be the first combat loss of a Su-57.
Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti’s military correspondent Alexander Kharchenko posted a cryptic message. He did not directly acknowledge the strike but decried the lack of hangars to protect military aircraft.
Development delays have plagued the Su-57. According to its manufacturer, serial production of the aircraft began in 2022.
With inputs from Reuters
