Ukraine says it struck Su-57 fighter jet on ground at Russian air base

The Ukrainian military agency reported that its forces targeted a latest-generation Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet at an airbase inside Russia. This was confirmed by sharing satellite images that allegedly show the aftermath of the attack, as stated by Kyiv's GUR defense intelligence agency.

In a Sunday post on Telegram, the GUR did not detail how the Su-57 was hit or which unit was responsible, marking the first known attack on this type of aircraft. One satellite image showed black soot marks and small craters surrounding the parked jet on a concrete strip.

A prominent Russian pro-war military blogger, known as Fighterbomber, who specializes in aviation, corroborated the report, stating that the Su-57 was struck by a drone.

The GUR specified that the aircraft was at the Akhtubinsk airfield, located 589 km (366 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine. "The images show that on June 7, the Su-57 was intact, and on June 8, there were craters and fire damage spots near it," the GUR detailed, alongside the photos.

The Ukrainian agency highlighted that the Su-57, capable of carrying stealth missiles over long distances, is among "a countable few" in Moscow's arsenal. Russian sources report that over 10 new Su-57s were added to the fleet last year, with a total of 76 expected by 2028.

This incident could mark the first combat loss of a Su-57. Ukraine, facing a large-scale Russian invasion since February 2022, has developed long-range drones to compensate for its smaller missile arsenal and strike deep inside Russia.

Fighterbomber mentioned that the jet was damaged by shrapnel, and assessments are ongoing to determine if it can be repaired. If deemed irreparable, it would be the first confirmed combat loss of a Su-57.

Russian military bloggers like Fighterbomber are often relied upon for information on military losses, especially when the Kremlin remains silent. As of Sunday, Russia's Ministry of Defence and senior political figures had not commented on the reported attack.

The Su-57, despite being promoted as a fifth-generation fighter to rival U.S. equivalents, has faced development delays and a crash in 2019. Its manufacturer claims that serial production began in 2022. The jet is a heavy fighter capable of performing various battlefield roles.