UK intelligence: Russia highly likely shot down own fighter jet

Russian air defence forces have shot down their own Su-35 fighter jet near occupied Tokmak, Zaporizhzhia region.

This is one of Russia's most modern airplanes, Caliber.Az reports, citing the British Defence Ministry’s latest update on the situation in Ukraine on social network X.

“On 28 September 2023, Russian air defence forces highly likely shot down one of their own Su-35S FLANKER M multi-role combat jets over Tokmak, approximately 20km behind the current front line.

Although Russia has lost around 90 fixed wing aircraft since the start of the invasion, this is probably only the fifth loss of a Su-35S, Russia’s most advanced combat jet in widespread service.

The location is relevant because Tokmak is a heavily fortified town which often hosts Russian headquarters commanding one of the most intensely contested sectors of the front line.

These headquarters would typically be protected with dedicated short and medium range air defence systems. These are almost certainly held at very high readiness, as Ukraine continues to conduct effective deep strikes against such locations,” the ministry said.