In what may very well be essentially the most embarrassing incident for the Russian army, reviews point out that a sophisticated Russian S-70 Okhotnik (Hunter) drone was downed on October 5, 2024, over the Ukrainian metropolis of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk area.
Initial reviews recognized the plane as a Su-25 jet. However, additional investigation and evaluation of particles revealed the wreckage was from Russia’s next-generation stealth unmanned fight aerial automobile (UCAV).
The incident surfaced on Saturday, October 5, when varied Telegram channels urged that Russian forces might have mistakenly destroyed their very own fight plane in what seems to be a pleasant fireplace incident.
While some speculated that Ukrainian forces shot down the plane, a supply inside Ukraine’s Defense Forces later confirmed that the destruction resulted from Russian “friendly fire.”
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Russian army bloggers have been fast to level out that the wreckage didn't belong to a manned plane however quite to an unmanned aerial automobile.
CONFIRMED: Russian “Hunter” Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B UCAV was shot down by Russian Su-57 fighter jet with AA missile.
Why?
No reply, for now. https://t.co/mpPpc0LvtG pic.twitter.com/foCGeO5igZ
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 5, 2024
Photos from the crash web site, that includes Russia’s purple star aviation emblem, confirmed that the destroyed drone was Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik—a crucial piece of Russia’s evolving drone warfare capabilities.
The S-70 Okhotnik is one in every of Russia’s newest developments in stealth drone expertise, designed to function as a “wingman” drone alongside the Su-57 fighter jet. It boasts superior sensors and fight capabilities, making its loss notably vital for Russia’s air and drone operations in Ukraine.
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According to Russian Telegram channels, the incident occurred throughout a take a look at flight close to the frontline when the operator misplaced management of the drone. Fearing it may very well be captured by Ukrainian forces, Russian commanders allegedly ordered its destruction.
Some accounts recommend {that a} Su-57 fighter jet was used to shoot down the drone, provided that the S-70 is anticipated to function in conjunction with these superior plane through the ongoing take a look at operations.
Friendly fireplace incidents will not be unusual in struggle zones, however the destruction of a high-value asset just like the S-70 represents a notable failure.
This incident additionally highlights ongoing points with coordination and communication inside Russian forces, which have confronted repeated setbacks for the reason that starting of the battle in Ukraine.
A Major Setback For Russia
If confirmed, the downing of the S-70 Okhotnik can be a serious blow to Russia’s drone warfare capabilities. This incident additionally marks the primary confirmed lack of an S-70 Okhotnik, Russia’s superior next-generation unmanned aerial automobile (UAV).
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Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Military Technology on the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), weighed in on the incident, expressing his shock on the obvious friendly-fire mishap.
He remarked that it appears the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) by chance shot down their very own Su-70 Okhotnik-B, a prototype heavy-combat UAV, in what he described as an “embarrassing failure.”
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Bronk additional urged that this incident seemingly occurred throughout take a look at flights close to the entrance strains, probably involving the testing of sensors or command-and-control methods (C2).
Despite widespread hypothesis and reviews circulating on social media, the Russian army has not supplied an official rationalization of the circumstances that led to the plane’s loss.
The S-70 Okhotnik (Hunter) is one in every of Russia’s latest and most superior unmanned fight aerial autos (UCAV), at the moment underneath growth by Sukhoi and Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG.
As a part of Russia’s sixth-generation plane challenge, the S-70 is predicated on the sooner Mikoyan Skat drone design and incorporates cutting-edge applied sciences from the Su-57 fighter jet, considerably enhancing its stealth and fight capabilities.
The S-70 is manufactured by Chkalov’s Novosibirsk aviation plant in western Siberia. It is provided with a flat nozzle to enhance its stealth profile.
The Russian Ministry of Defense ordered three prototypes of this drone to function ” wingmen” for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet. However, this drone can be able to working independently from the bottom.
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The first prototype of the S-70 Okhotnik was accomplished in 2018, with the second and third prototypes anticipated to be finalized in 2024.
According to Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko, the S-70 boasts applied sciences that “surpass several foreign analogs in a number of parameters.”
Powered by an AL-31 turbojet engine, the drone is predicted to achieve speeds of as much as 1,000 kilometers per hour and canopy a spread of 6,000 kilometers.
While Russia has been pushing to speed up the event of the S-70, the current friendly-fire incident, if confirmed, might set again the timeline for deploying this next-generation UCAV.
