Doubts over Ukrainian Claims of Striking Russian Su-57 Jet in Airfield Attack

Ukraine’s GRU military intelligence service released satellite images of a drone attack on a Russian airfield where a Su-57 stealth fighter was alleged damaged.

"On 8 June 2024, a Su-57 multi-purpose fighter jet of the aggressor state was struck at the Akhtubinsk airfield in Russia's Astrakhan region, 589 kilometres (366 miles) from the line of contact," Ukraine's GUR military intelligence said.

However, a closer examination of the satellite image shows no sign of fire damage to the aircraft, but some changes to objects on the ground around the aircraft of images taken on June 7 and 8.

While the Russian MoD has not commented on the damage to the Su-57, Russia media has reported on an attack by three long range drones on the airfield.

One channel speculated that the UAVs could be the TEKEVER AR3 types of the Armed Forces of Ukraine donated by the U.K.

The TEKEVER AR3 drones are small, long endurance UAS designed to support land and maritime operations, according to it maker. The drones have a cruising speed of 85 km/h and a communications range of 100 km. They have an endurance of 16 hours which means they can fly several times over 100 km range, if set on a fixed trajectory in radio silence.

While the drones are vertical take off and landing (VTOL) type, the VTOL module can be disengaged to increase the payload which is set at 4 kilograms.

If indeed the TEKEVER drones were used in the Akhtubinsk airfield attack, then the 3 or 4 kg weapons payload (a small bomb that detonates on impact) may not have been able to cause much damage to the airfield and the aircraft therein unless the drones crashed into the planes directly from above.