Meanwhile they are being destroyed on the battlefield. But media loves to point out their little successes here and there as they and the regime wish to bilk American taxpayers out of billions more to support the Ukraine
Over the past weekend, Ukraine claimed it destroyed one of Russia’s most advanced fighter jets, the Sukhoi Su-57, at the Akhtubinsk airfield, located 360 miles from the front lines of the ongoing conflict. This assertion was supported by satellite images released by the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency on its Telegram channel. The images purportedly show the aftermath of the strike, underscoring the rarity of the Su-57, as the Russian aerospace forces possess only a few of these aircraft.
Update: Sky News report that Ukrainian fighter jets have fired NATO missiles at a target on Russian territory for the first time in this war! Expect a massive response from Moscow! NATO continues to use Ukraine to launch its attacks on Russia! pic.twitter.com/FKc4aTxD54
— US Civil Defense News (@CaptCoronado) June 10, 2024
The strike occurred shortly after Ukraine received authorization from the U.S. and other NATO allies to employ Western-supplied advanced long-range weaponry for operations within Russian territory. Although initial speculation suggested the use of a Ukrainian drone for the attack, this has yet to be confirmed.
The Su-57, a supersonic, twin-engine stealth fighter jet, represents a significant advancement in Russian military technology, comparable to Western models such as the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor. According to the 2024 World Air Forces Directory by Flight Global, there are 14 Su-57 jets currently in active service. First introduced in 2002, the Su-57 officially entered service in 2020, with mass production commencing in 2022 despite various developmental challenges, including a crash in 2019.
World War III Update: Ukraine Claims First-Ever Fighter Jet Strike On Russian Territory
Ukraine is touting that it has launched a successful airstrike by a fighter jet inside Russian territory, Sky News is reporting, which is a significant first of the escalating conflict. An… pic.twitter.com/rYa5kLeyWK
— William Stickevers (@wstickevers) June 10, 2024
The cost of an Su-57 ranges between $35 million and $54 million, as reported by the Foreign Policy Research Institute. By the end of 2022, it was expected that the Russian forces would receive an additional 22 Su-57 jets, as stated by TASS.
Following the release of the satellite images by Ukraine, a popular Russian pro-military blogger, Flightbomber, acknowledged on Telegram that the photos suggested a successful strike by a Ukrainian drone. This incident marks a significant moment in the conflict, particularly as Ukraine claims to have effectively stalled Russian advances in the Kharkiv region.
Ukraine says it struck a Russian Su-57 fighter jet
Moscow says it shot down 71 Ukrainian drones@eriknjoka brings you this report
Watch more: https://t.co/dm7SyC01cG pic.twitter.com/6eXO6Z9Ww8
— WION (@WIONews) June 9, 2024
In addition to targeting advanced military aircraft, Ukraine has reportedly used drones to attack over 15 Russian oil refineries and depots since the beginning of 2024. The capability of the Su-57 to carry KH-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles, which can be launched from within Russian airspace into Ukraine, highlights the strategic importance of such strikes in Ukraine’s broader military strategy. These efforts appear to align with a cost-effective and impactful approach that Ukraine has adopted in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Major Points
- Ukraine claims to have destroyed one of Russia’s most advanced fighter jets, the Sukhoi Su-57, at Akhtubinsk airfield, 360 miles from the conflict’s front lines.
- The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency supported its claim by releasing satellite images on Telegram, highlighting the rarity of the Su-57 in Russian service.
- The attack may have involved a Ukrainian drone, coming after NATO allies allowed Kyiv to use Western long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia.
- The Su-57 is a sophisticated stealth fighter comparable to the U.S. F-22 Raptor, with only 14 reportedly in active service and a cost of $35 to $54 million each.
- This strike is part of a broader strategy by Ukraine, which includes using drones to target Russian infrastructure, effectively countering Russian military advances.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News