On October 5, 2024, an advanced Russian S-70 Okhotnik stealth drone was shot down over Kostiantynivka, a city in Ukraine's Donetsk region. While initial reports from Telegram channels suggested Ukrainian forces may have been responsible, further investigation confirmed that the drone was destroyed by Russian forces in a friendly fire incident.
The drone, part of Russia’s next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program, was reportedly downed during a test flight. According to sources from Ukraine's Defense Forces, Russian commanders ordered the destruction of the drone to prevent it from falling into Ukrainian hands after losing control. This decision marked a significant blow to Russia's military operations, as the Okhotnik was a key part of the Russian Aerospace Forces' ongoing drone warfare efforts.
Friendly Fire or Technical Failure?
The exact circumstances that led to the downing of the Okhotnik remain unclear. Video footage from the incident, shared on both pro-Kyiv and pro-Moscow social media channels, shows a Su-57 fighter jet shooting down the drone using what appears to be an R-74M2 air-to-air missile. In the video, contrails from both the Su-57 and the Okhotnik can be seen flying close together before the missile is fired, bringing down the drone.
Military bloggers speculated that the drone may have suffered a malfunction, prompting concerns that it could crash within Ukrainian-controlled territory, leading Russian commanders to order its destruction. "I really want to hope that it was a loss of control due to something failing … or the UAV’s brains went crazy for their own reasons, and not the drone being intercepted by the enemy," the unofficial Russian air force Telegram channel Fighterbomber wrote.
Significant Loss for Russian Military
The loss of the Okhotnik drone represents a major setback for Russia’s air and drone operations in Ukraine. Designed to operate alongside Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets, the S-70 Okhotnik boasts advanced stealth and combat capabilities, making it one of Russia’s most critical assets in its evolving drone warfare strategy.
Analysts have emphasized the significance of the incident. "It seems the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) accidentally shot down their own Su-70 Okhotnik-B, a prototype heavy-combat UAV, in what is an embarrassing failure," said Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Military Technology at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). He suggested that the drone was likely involved in a test flight near the front lines when the mishap occurred.
Developmental Setbacks and Military Implications
The S-70 Okhotnik is still considered experimental, and the Russian military had been testing its capabilities in combat zones. The drone, which is equipped with stealth features, phased radar arrays, and infrared sensors, is designed to operate as a "wingman" for manned aircraft like the Su-57 or independently in reconnaissance and precision strike missions. Weighing around 20 tons and boasting a wingspan of nearly 20 meters (66 feet), the Okhotnik is one of the largest UAVs in operation today.
Despite its size and advanced capabilities, the Okhotnik is not yet fully operational. While Russia has pushed to accelerate the development of the drone, the October 5 incident could delay its deployment. The drone’s loss not only represents a blow to Russia’s military morale but also underscores ongoing issues with coordination within the Russian Aerospace Forces.
A History of Drone Losses
This is not the first time Russia has faced setbacks in its drone operations. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian forces have been losing drones at an unsustainable rate. According to military analyst Andrew Perpetua, Russian forces conduct approximately 300 drone surveillance sorties daily, with nearly one-third of these drones getting shot down. "In the past, Russia was net gaining drones per month and now I think they are net losing," Perpetua commented in a previous report.
The downing of the Okhotnik follows a pattern of increasing losses for Russia’s air force. Over the course of the war, more than 100 Russian warplanes, including Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighters, have been destroyed by Ukrainian forces. The Okhotnik’s loss, however, is particularly significant due to its role in Russia’s long-term military strategy and the fact that it remains in the testing phase.
What is Russia's Okhotnik drone?
First introduced in January 2019, the Okhotnik drone is part of Russia’s efforts to develop a sixth-generation UAV. Based on the earlier Mikoyan Skat drone design, the Okhotnik is manufactured by Sukhoi and the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. The drone is powered by a modified version of the Su-57's AL-41F jet engine, giving it a range of 6,000 kilometers and a top speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour.
Despite its impressive specifications, the Okhotnik is still undergoing trials, and the October 5 incident suggests that it may not yet be ready for full deployment. "The likelihood of Okhotnik eventually entering squadron service with the Russian air force is big," said Tom Cooper, an independent expert on Russian military aviation. However, the loss of this prototype during combat trials could delay Russia’s plans for its future deployment.
The drone, part of Russia’s next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program, was reportedly downed during a test flight. According to sources from Ukraine's Defense Forces, Russian commanders ordered the destruction of the drone to prevent it from falling into Ukrainian hands after losing control. This decision marked a significant blow to Russia's military operations, as the Okhotnik was a key part of the Russian Aerospace Forces' ongoing drone warfare efforts.
CONFIRMED: Russian “Hunter” Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B UCAV was shot down by Russian Su-57 fighter jet with AA missile.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 5, 2024
Why?
No answer, for now. https://t.co/mpPpc0LvtG pic.twitter.com/foCGeO5igZ
Friendly Fire or Technical Failure?
The exact circumstances that led to the downing of the Okhotnik remain unclear. Video footage from the incident, shared on both pro-Kyiv and pro-Moscow social media channels, shows a Su-57 fighter jet shooting down the drone using what appears to be an R-74M2 air-to-air missile. In the video, contrails from both the Su-57 and the Okhotnik can be seen flying close together before the missile is fired, bringing down the drone.
Military bloggers speculated that the drone may have suffered a malfunction, prompting concerns that it could crash within Ukrainian-controlled territory, leading Russian commanders to order its destruction. "I really want to hope that it was a loss of control due to something failing … or the UAV’s brains went crazy for their own reasons, and not the drone being intercepted by the enemy," the unofficial Russian air force Telegram channel Fighterbomber wrote.
So, this looks like Russians downing their newest Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik heavy drone near Chasiv Yar. pic.twitter.com/haVf4aU6y4
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) October 5, 2024
Significant Loss for Russian Military
The loss of the Okhotnik drone represents a major setback for Russia’s air and drone operations in Ukraine. Designed to operate alongside Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets, the S-70 Okhotnik boasts advanced stealth and combat capabilities, making it one of Russia’s most critical assets in its evolving drone warfare strategy.
Analysts have emphasized the significance of the incident. "It seems the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) accidentally shot down their own Su-70 Okhotnik-B, a prototype heavy-combat UAV, in what is an embarrassing failure," said Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Military Technology at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). He suggested that the drone was likely involved in a test flight near the front lines when the mishap occurred.
Developmental Setbacks and Military Implications
The S-70 Okhotnik is still considered experimental, and the Russian military had been testing its capabilities in combat zones. The drone, which is equipped with stealth features, phased radar arrays, and infrared sensors, is designed to operate as a "wingman" for manned aircraft like the Su-57 or independently in reconnaissance and precision strike missions. Weighing around 20 tons and boasting a wingspan of nearly 20 meters (66 feet), the Okhotnik is one of the largest UAVs in operation today.
Despite its size and advanced capabilities, the Okhotnik is not yet fully operational. While Russia has pushed to accelerate the development of the drone, the October 5 incident could delay its deployment. The drone’s loss not only represents a blow to Russia’s military morale but also underscores ongoing issues with coordination within the Russian Aerospace Forces.
A History of Drone Losses
This is not the first time Russia has faced setbacks in its drone operations. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian forces have been losing drones at an unsustainable rate. According to military analyst Andrew Perpetua, Russian forces conduct approximately 300 drone surveillance sorties daily, with nearly one-third of these drones getting shot down. "In the past, Russia was net gaining drones per month and now I think they are net losing," Perpetua commented in a previous report.
The downing of the Okhotnik follows a pattern of increasing losses for Russia’s air force. Over the course of the war, more than 100 Russian warplanes, including Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighters, have been destroyed by Ukrainian forces. The Okhotnik’s loss, however, is particularly significant due to its role in Russia’s long-term military strategy and the fact that it remains in the testing phase.
What is Russia's Okhotnik drone?
First introduced in January 2019, the Okhotnik drone is part of Russia’s efforts to develop a sixth-generation UAV. Based on the earlier Mikoyan Skat drone design, the Okhotnik is manufactured by Sukhoi and the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. The drone is powered by a modified version of the Su-57's AL-41F jet engine, giving it a range of 6,000 kilometers and a top speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour.
Despite its impressive specifications, the Okhotnik is still undergoing trials, and the October 5 incident suggests that it may not yet be ready for full deployment. "The likelihood of Okhotnik eventually entering squadron service with the Russian air force is big," said Tom Cooper, an independent expert on Russian military aviation. However, the loss of this prototype during combat trials could delay Russia’s plans for its future deployment.
You may also like
China Mobilizes 27 Military Aircraft and 6 Naval Vessels in Tense Taiwan Airspace
'Stop the witch hunt' against flexible working hours, demand campaigners
BREAKING: Man dies and three rushed to hospital after horror explosion rips through block of flats
Will protect Constitution that gives Bahujans their rights: Rahul Gandhi
