Did a Russian Su-57 Felon Accidently Destroy a S-70 Stealth Drone?

Reports have circulated on the Telegram social messaging app that a Russian Su-70 Okhotnik was shot down on Saturday in the skies over the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region. 

Russian Su-70 Drone Shot Down in Ukraine: Reports have circulated on the Telegram social messaging app that a Russian Su-70 Okhotnik was shot down on Saturday in the skies over the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region. The unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), which the Kremlin has touted as one of the most advanced armed drones in service, was apparently lost to friendly fire.

"In one of the most epic shoot down videos of the year, what was initially said to be a Russian Su-25, the jet downed this afternoon over Donetsk is now said to be either an Su-57 or an S-70, Russia's most advanced unmanned $15,000,000 drone," the KyivPost reported on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Other posts online have reported to show the downed unmanned aircraft, and there has been speculation that it was a Russian Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name Felon) that fired on the Su-70 Okhotnik.

"That is, we could have f'ed up not only the Okhotnik, but also the Su-57 escort, and this is a completely different scenario," stated the FighterBomber Telegram Channel – among the most popular and widely followed Russian propagandists outlets on Telegram, and which according to TheAviationist has "close ties with the Russian Aerospace Forces aircrews and personnel."

There is some serious irony if it is found to be true that the Su-57 shot down the Okhotnik, as the drone was designed based on technology from the aircraft, and was to serve as a "loyal wingman" for the Russian fighter.

It is possible – and perhaps even likely – that the Russian Su-57 pilot mistook the drone for a Ukrainian aircraft, and by all accounts it was targeted beyond visible range. This would make just the latest such case of Russia's forces shooting down one of its own assets.

"While friendly fire incidents are not uncommon in conflict zones, the loss of such a high-value piece of military hardware would be a blow to Russia's air and drone warfare capabilities," the Defence-Blog suggested.

However, the pro-Kremlin Telegram channels have indicated that this wasn't a case of misidentification, however, and suggested that the drone was a prototype and control was lost – leading to the decision to shoot it down.

"Neither these claims could be independently verified," TheAviationist also reported.

The S-70 Drone in the Crosshairs

The S-70 is based on the MiG-designed Mikoyan Skat. It shares some technologies with the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 "Felon" fighter. The Okhotnik heavy attack drone performed its debut flight on August 3, 2019. That flight lasted over 20 minutes under an operator's control.

Test flights were also carried out in the summer of 2023, possibly to dispel the rumors that it was little more than vaporware.

The Okhotnik is believed to be in the same class of drones as the French military's Dassault nEUROn and the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft. These craft are being developed to augment the capabilities of manned fifth-generation and sixth-generation stealth fighters. Such unmanned aircraft could also significantly extend the sensor and weapons range of manned aircraft.

The 20-ton Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik drone is powered by an AL-31 turbojet engine – the same used on the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter. It can reach a top speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour (621 miles per hour), with a range of 6,000 km. It is equipped with electro-optical targeting and radio, as well as other types of reconnaissance equipment.

It has a pair of internal bays that can carry up to 2.8 tons of weapons.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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