UKRAINE,SEATIZENS,a mysterious incident near Kostyantynivka, Ukraine, featured two vapour trails crossing paths, leading to a bright orange flash. Initially, people thought it was friendly fire. Later, a Russian Su-57 jet downed the Russian S-70 stealth combat drone, Okhotnik. This state-of-theart drone, designed to be stealthy and as large as a fighter jet, malfunctioned. According to BBC, A mysterious incident near Kostyantynivka, Ukraine, revealed a Russian Su-57 jet downing the S70 Okhotnik stealth combat drone. Initially believed to be friendly fire, analysts now think the Russian jet targeted the drone to prevent it from falling into enemy hands, as both aircraft were flying into a Ukrainian air defense zone. Analysts suggest that Ukraine’s electronic warfare systems may have jammed the drone, causing Russia to lose control. Moscow and Kyiv have not officially commented on the event. The S70 Okhotnik, weighing over 20 tonnes and with a range of 6,000 km (3,700 miles), stands out in this conflict as a state-of-the-art drone. Read also:Moo Deng gains 10 kilos as she celebrates her 3rd month Shaped like an arrow, the Okhotnik resembles the American X47B stealth combat drone. This drone carries bombs and rockets for striking ground and aerial targets, and it also conducts reconnaissance. The Okhotnik operates with Russia’s Su57 fighter jets. In development since 2012, it first flew in 2019. Earlier this year, sightings of the Okhotnik at the Akhtubinsk airfield suggested that its flight near Kostyantynivka was one of its first combat tests. The crash site revealed wreckage of Russia’s long-range D-30 glide bomb. Russia’s Drone Down in Ukraine. The Okhotnik stealth drone, using satellite navigation, likely received signals from the Su-57 jet to expand its operational range.The failure of the Okhotnik significantly set back Russia’s military, delaying its expected production this year. Russia built four prototypes, and the one downed over Ukraine might have been the most advanced. (Beam Chayapon)
Russia’s Secret Weapon Downed in Ukraine Read More