Ukrainian Drones Damage Russian Su-57 Fighters at Test Center

Ukrainian drones have potentially inflicted damage on Russian Su-57 stealth fighters at the Akhtubinsk State Flight Test Center in southern Russia, around 365 miles from the Russia-Ukraine border. The attack, which occurred on a Saturday, reportedly left one Su-57 badly damaged and possibly destroyed, with indications suggesting that a second Su-57 might also have been affected.

Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian intelligence agency, stated in an interview on Sunday that there is preliminary information pointing to two Su-57 aircraft being affected. While photographic evidence has not yet been released, the claim is considered credible. The Akhtubinsk State Flight Test Center is known for housing several of Russia’s in-development warplanes, including the Su-57, Su-35 fighters, and Okhotnik drones.

Despite the vulnerability of the Su-57s, with ground crews often leaving them exposed, the Russian air force has not constructed hardened shelters for these valuable aircraft. This lack of protective infrastructure has been a point of contention, especially considering the high cost of each Su-57. The Fighterbomber Telegram channel criticized the Russian air force for failing to prioritize the protection of its aircraft, including the Su-57 that was confirmed to have suffered shrapnel damage in the recent drone attack.

The issue of inadequate sheltering is not unique to Russia, as Ukrainian airfields have also been criticized for occasionally leaving their warplanes exposed. However, the Ukrainians have demonstrated greater effectiveness in striking Russian airfields, thanks to their growing arsenal of long-range strike drones and more agile decision-making processes.

In contrast, Russian air force bases lack the same level of flexibility. Russian jets typically change bases in response to repeated attacks on specific locations, rather than proactively scattering their aircraft across multiple sites to mitigate the risk of damage.

Akhtubinsk’s State Flight Test Center is particularly significant, housing laboratories, testing areas, and bunker complexes critical for testing the Su-57s’ stealth capabilities. Moving the remaining Su-57s from Akhtubinsk could jeopardize their development, making it crucial for the Russian air force to consider building shelters to protect these valuable assets.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen millions of Ukrainians suffer from indiscriminate Russian air raids since 2022. The hope is that the Russian air force will take steps to protect its aircraft, reducing the risk to civilian populations caught in the crossfire.