On June 7, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force reported the destruction of a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in the Kursk direction. According to Ukrainian military sources, the aircraft was shot down in the morning as part of a successful operation. The incident occurred over Russian territory, likely in the Korenevsky district of the Kursk region. A published video shows the downed jet burning on the ground. This is not the first time Ukrainian forces have conducted operations deep within Russian territory.
The crash of the aircraft was captured on video – the Su-35S fuselage is seen engulfed in flames, showing clear signs of being hit. The Russian side has not officially commented on the loss. However, several pro-Russian military bloggers, including Fighterbomber, have confirmed that a Su-35S was indeed shot down, adding that, unfortunately for Ukraine, the pilot survived.
The exact cause of the downing has not yet been confirmed. Analysts suggest the jet may have been hit by a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile or possibly downed in an air-to-air engagement – potentially involving recently deployed F-16s now in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This incident comes a week after a large-scale operation by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), codenamed “Spiderweb,” which targeted five Russian airfields. According to the SBU, that operation resulted in the damage or destruction of 41 aircraft belonging to Russia’s strategic aviation fleet, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 aircraft – roughly one-third of Russia’s long-range missile carriers.
The destruction of the Su-35 marks a significant achievement for Ukrainian forces. As a 4++ generation multirole fighter, it is considered one of the most advanced aircraft in Russia’s Aerospace Forces. The estimated cost of a single Su-35 ranges between $98 and $104 million. Its loss represents both a symbolic and strategic setback for Russia amid the ongoing full-scale invasion.
Source: Telegram
