Ukraine Takes Down Russia's 'Invisible' Jet—Says it Was Easier to Spot Than UFO
In a turn of events that sounds straight out of a futuristic sci-fi movie, Ukraine has successfully struck a Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet, affectionately known as the 'Felon'. This remarkable feat took place on a Saturday at the Akhtubinsk base in southern Russia, nearly 600 kilometers from the front lines.
Ukraine's techno-whizzes, who have been rapidly increasing their domestic drone production, managed to hit the "invisible" Su-57, a fifth-generation fighter jet capable of carrying stealth missiles across hundreds of kilometers. One can't help but wonder if this was easier than spotting a UFO, given the jet's supposed invisibility.
Photos released by Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate reveal a scene reminiscent of a poorly executed party prank—black soot marks and small craters decorated the area around the parked aircraft. The smoking gun evidence was shared via satellite photos, showcasing what can only be described as a bad weekend for whoever parked the Su-57 in an unprotected lot.
Now, to add a dash of international intrigue, this successful strike comes on the heels of new permissions from Western allies, namely the US and Germany, allowing Ukraine to use their weapons for limited strikes inside Russia.
The Su-57 is not just any prop in the theater of war; it's a twin-engine marvel that the Kremlin had ordered 76 more of, to be delivered by 2028. However, with this strike marking Ukraine's first known successful hit on one, it appears Moscow might need to rethink its delivery schedule.
Russian military bloggers and state media correspondents have been quick to criticize the lack of hangars to protect these high-value aircraft. And who can blame them? Leaving a piece of machinery with a price tag rivaling that of a small island nation out in the open is a bit like parking a Ferrari in a dodgy neighborhood and then being shocked when it isn't there in the morning.
The Su-57 jet has had a slow journey to realization since its inception in 2002, finally being received by the Russian military in 2020. And while it had the potential to launch cruise missiles from Russian airspace, posing threats to Ukraine from a distance, it seems it couldn’t quite dodge a few well-aimed drones.
Speaking of those drones, Ukraine has relied heavily on them to strike deep inside Russian territory. These strikes aren't their first rodeo; they've used drones to sink or severely damage Russian warships in the Black Sea and to destroy tanks and armored vehicles on the battlefield.
In another intriguing twist, a popular pro-Kremlin Telegram channel known as Fighterbomber claimed that three Ukrainian drones hit the Akhtubinsk airstrip and caused damage to the Su-57. Assuming this is true, it would mark the first combat loss of an Su-57, a historical revelation that undoubtedly warrants a moment of silence in military circles.
Amidst these strikes, the use of long-range weapons supplied by Western allies is seen as crucial for defending Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv. The approval from Western leaders, including a new guidance from President Joe Biden, speaks volumes about the international community's stance on aiding Ukraine's efforts.
As the geopolitical chess game continues, one thing is clear: while the Su-57 might have been a formidable player theoretically cloaked in stealth, it was ultimately spotted easier than a UFO at an "Ancient Aliens" convention. And for now, it seems Ukraine's drones are the ones writing the rules of this high-stakes game.