Russia Expands Use of Su-57 Fighter Jets to Strike Ukraine Full-Scale

Russia Expands Use of Su-57 Fighter Jets to Strike Ukraine Full-Scale.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Russia is increasingly deploying Su-57 Felon stealth fighter jets in combat operations against Ukraine, according to multiple sources, including the aviation-focused community "Sonyashnyk," which is closely associated with Ukrainian military observers.

The report indicates a shift in the intensity and sophistication of Su-57 use. Russian forces are reportedly refining weapons options and testing new tactics for using the aircraft in full-scale warfare. These efforts include multi-aircraft formations and an expanded role in strike missions deep into Ukrainian territory. "An entire Su-57 formation has been observed in action," Sonyashnyk reported, noting that "one aircraft provided cover using R-77M long-range air-to-air missiles while the other pair carried out strikes with Kh-69 cruise missiles or precision-guided bombs." The same source claimed that in addition to the Kh-69, Russian forces are testing what appears to be a new type of guided weapon, potentially a combination of drones and missiles. Referred to in some open sources as the Su-71K, this system is reportedly more difficult to detect by radar and capable of sharp and evasive maneuvers.

The implementation of this measure reflects a broader trend in Russia's efforts to adapt to Ukrainian air defense systems and develop combat test procedures for its fifth-generation aircraft, which are still in limited production. In a notable incident in October 2024, an Su-57 was reportedly involved in an escort mission for a prototype S-70 Okhotnik heavy attack drone. According to reports, the S-70 lost control mid-flight due to a technical malfunction and was ultimately destroyed by an accompanying Su-57 in what appears to be a pre-planned emergency protocol.

The Su-57 program, initially known as the T-50 prototype, first flew in 2010 but has been plagued by delays. The project's development has been hampered by a lack of foreign investment. India's withdrawal from the joint fighter program dealt a significant financial blow to the platform's future, eliminating what was previously considered a key source of funding. Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent Western sanctions further disrupted production schedules and raised questions about the feasibility of substantial future exports.

While Russia has attempted to attract foreign interest by offering partial local assembly options to countries like India and Algeria, these efforts have yielded few confirmed sales.

The Ministry of Defense in Moscow has not publicly confirmed the scale or nature of Su-57 combat operations in Ukraine. However, the aircraft's increased visibility in the war zone appears to be in line with a broader strategy aimed at showcasing the jet's capabilities to potential foreign buyers.

By deploying the Su-57 in a live war zone, Russia is likely seeking to attract international partners and demonstrate the fighter's operational utility in combat conditions. With few potential export clients and production still hovering in the single digits per year, the stakes for saving the program remain high.

With the war in Ukraine serving as a live testing ground, Russia appears determined to prove that the Su-57 is more than just a legacy prototype. The coming months will likely reveal whether the aircraft can transition from a symbolic aircraft to a functional pillar of the Russian Air Force and whether foreign buyers are convinced by what they see in combat.