Military intelligence: Ukraine hits Russian Su-57 jet for first time

Ukraine's military intelligence agency has reported that Ukraine hit a Su-57 fighter jet stationed in Russia for the first time.

The aircraft was reportedly damaged after a strike on the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region in southern Russia, 589 kilometres from the front line, The Kyiv Independent reports.

Satellite images show that the jet was intact on June 7, but suffered explosive damage after an attack on June 8. On that day, Russia reported a drone attack on several regions, including Astrakhan.

The plane is Russia’s most modern fighter jet with only a few units in service in the Russian air force. It can carry Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles that regularly attack Ukraine, including civilian targets.

Ukraine managed to down six Russian fighter jets last month across front line regions. However, those were largely Su-25 jets used to close air support for ground troops.

“The defeat of the Su-57 is the first such case in history,” the military intelligence agency said.

On May 17, Ukraine hit the Balbek Airfield in occupied Crimea. The attack damaged three planes stationed there: one Su-27 and two MiG-31s.