A recent incident involving a Russian Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik (‘Hunter’) attack drone being shot down in a ‘friendly fire’ incident over the Donetsk region has been captured in stunning footage posted online. Reports are currently unconfirmed, but multiple videos show what appears to be a Russian fighter jet taking down the stealth drone.
The first known loss of an Okhotnik stealth drone in a combat situation, the incident has sparked speculation and debate online. While there have been no official statements from Russia regarding the incident, various sources have shared their perspectives on the situation.
According to one theory, during a test of the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B stealth UAV, the Russian army lost control of the drone, causing it to drift towards Ukrainian territory. In an effort to prevent it from falling into Ukrainian hands, a Su-57 fighter jet was allegedly used to shoot down the drone over the Donetsk region.
The aviation news website AeroTime previously reported that series production of the stealth drone was scheduled for the second half of the year. The S-70 Okhotnik is designed to fly alongside Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, boasting advanced features such as electro-optical targeting, radio equipment, and internal bays capable of carrying up to 2.8 tons of weaponry.
Given the secrecy surrounding the Okhotnik drone, it is unlikely that Moscow will provide full details on the incident. The situation continues to evolve, with new videos and images emerging to shed light on what transpired.