Video: Downed Aircraft in Ukraine Could Be an Advanced Russian S-70 Drone. Photos and Videos: Telegram @ssternenko
On Saturday, October 5, multiple reports emerged suggesting that Russian forces may have accidentally shot down one of their own SU-25 combat aircraft over the city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.
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The incident was initially reported by several channels on Telegram, raising speculation that the aircraft was mistakenly destroyed in a friendly fire incident.
Sources indicate that a more in-depth analysis of the wreckage at the crash site revealed that the debris belonged to Russia’s advanced S-70 ‘Okhotnik’ drone. This unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) represents one of the latest developments in drone technology in Russia, designed for functions including reconnaissance and precision strikes. The S-70 is part of Moscow’s broader effort to modernize its military capabilities.
If confirmed, this incident would highlight the ongoing issues of coordination and communication among Russian forces, a concern that has been reiterated since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. While friendly fire incidents are not uncommon in combat zones, the loss of a high-value military asset like the S-70 would represent a significant blow to Russia’s air and drone warfare capabilities.
So far, Russian military officials have not issued a formal statement on the matter, and no details have been provided on how the incident occurred. However, this has sparked discussions on social media and among defense analysts regarding the potential causes of the failure and the current state of Russian drone operations in Ukraine.
The development of the Okhotnik program has been ongoing at the Sukhoi Design Bureau since 2011. The drone, which features a “flying wing” design, is intended to attack enemy targets without entering the range of manned aircraft’s air defense systems. It can carry missiles and bombs with a total weight of up to 2.8 tons in its internal compartments.
With a length of 14 meters, a wingspan of 19 meters, and a takeoff weight exceeding 20 tons, the S-70 is one of Russia’s key assets in drone technology. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the drone’s flight range could be approximately six thousand kilometers.
Source: mil.in.ua. Photos and videos: Telegram @ssternenko. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
