From the images of the destroyed aircraft, one can make out that the Su-35 was shot down and was later charred after crashing on the ground.
The highly advanced and capable Russian Air-Space Force Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) was left in a mangled, burning wreck in photos of the downed aircraft in a field, Express reports. 19 Russian planes have been shot down by Ukrainian defence forces since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine five weeks ago.
The latest blow to Russia came near the city of Kharkiv, as Ukrainian forces continue to push back against Russian advances in the region.
From the images of the destroyed aircraft, one can make out that the Su-35 was shot down and was later charred after crashing on the ground.
Visegrad 24 Twitter Channel announced the shooting down of the plane.
“The Ukrainian Army has shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet over Izyum, near Kharkiv.
“Ukrainian authorities say they have shot down 2 planes and 1 helicopter over the past 24h.
“Izyum is the next big battle.
“Both Ukraine and Russia forces are heading there.”
Official sources in Ukraine also confirmed that the Russian fighter had been floored.
“50 million dollars worth of damage for the ogres!,” reportedly wrote Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko to confirm the Su-35 was shot down by Ukrainian forces.
The pilot has safely ejected from the Su-35 and had been detained by Ukrainian defence forces, Geraschchenko said.
A black streak of smoke as a fiery ball heads to the ground can be seen in a footage allegedly showing the final seconds of the Su-35.
Commentary in the video can be heard saying: “Something is falling on the village… f***! f***! Here, here… Oh just right on the house.”
The aircraft does not appear to have landed on a building and can be seen in a field.
The Su-35 does not have stealth capability and is said to rely on more traditional air to air combat superiority.
The Sukhoi Su-35 is a version of the Su-27 fighter jet that has been deeply modernized to achieve a significant increase in its combat effectiveness against aerial, ground, and sea-surface targets. The design of the Su-35 incorporates the most successful engineering concepts that previously tested well on the Su-27/Su-30 aircraft family.
According to United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the Su-35 “combines the qualities of a modern fighter (super-maneuverability, superior active and passive acquisition aids, high supersonic speed and long range, capability of managing battle group actions, etc.) and a good tactical airplane (wide range of weapons that can be carried, modern multi-channel electronic warfare system, reduced radar signature and high combat survivability).”
The Su-35 is capable of flying at Mach 2.2 (1,500 mph), carries a payload of weapons up to 8,000kg, and has a range of around 1,000 miles.
Russia claims the aircraft is far superior to Western fighters such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, French Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the first part of the “special operation” in Ukraine is complete. Russian assets are regrouping to start part two.
Analysts suggest Putin will seek to capture large parts of Eastern Ukraine and build a land bridge between Russia and Crimea.
As already explained, calls for a NATO imposed no-fly zone have been continually emanating from Ukraine, yet alliance members are keen to avoid direct confrontation with Russia as a result.
Nevertheless, supplies have continued to pour into Ukraine to assist their defences.
The Starstreak system, a shoulder-mounted missile, that travels at more than three times the speed of sound to take down low-flying enemy jets, is almost ready to be used British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
Wallace added that the first Ukrainian troops had been trained and were now deployed with Starstreak.
The missile detaches into three darts mid-air, which are guided to the target by a laser operator on the ground.
The use of lasers rather than being attracted to infrared energy means flares cannot counteract the three-pronged missile.
Photo credit: Reuters and OSINTtechnical
