The military of Ukraine stated it attacked a Russian base with drones on Sunday and was able to destroy one of the most advanced fighter jets belonging to Russia — the Sukhoi Su-57. This particular base is located deep inside Russia in the Astrakhan region, nearly 600 kilometers away from where combat takes place, according to GUR, Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency.
The Su-57, known as the “Felon” by NATO, is a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft which was developed by Russia to stand against its Western competitors— notably the US F-22 Raptor. It started in 2002 and got delayed several times due to various reasons; eventually it was introduced into service only in 2020. Nevertheless, despite being late on the scene, Russian authorities have voiced optimism about its capabilities. In 2022, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu lauded its performance — especially mentioning advanced defense systems and formidable armament: the jet has displayed.
The GUR supported its claim with satellite images posted on its Telegram channel. These images showed the Su-57 intact on June 7, but by June 8, craters and fire damage were visible, indicating a successful strike. The Su-57 is known for carrying Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles, which could be launched against Ukraine from Russian airspace.
The exact number of operational Su-57s in Russia’s fleet is unclear. According to Flight Global’s “World Air Forces 2024” directory, Russia has 14 active Su-57s, with another 62 on order. The GUR’s Telegram post emphasized the limited number of these aircraft in service, a sentiment echoed by various military experts.
The potential destruction of an Su-57, valued between $35 million and $54 million, marks a significant achievement for Ukraine’s low-cost drone strategy, which has already proven effective against Russian warships and armored vehicles. This incident also raises concerns for Russia about the vulnerability of its bases far from the frontline.
CNN contributor Jill Dougherty highlighted this growing trend of Ukrainian attacks within Russia, suggesting it’s causing increasing concern for Moscow. Following the strike, Russian military bloggers criticized the lack of protective hangars for the Su-57s, pointing out that hangars could be constructed at each airbase for the price of one Su-57, as noted by the Institute for the Study of War.
If confirmed, this strike underscores Ukraine’s increasing capability to target high-value Russian assets deep within its territory, posing a new strategic challenge for Moscow.