Ukraine announced on Sunday that its forces successfully targeted a cutting-edge Russian warplane stationed at an air base nearly 600 kilometers away from the front lines. The strike, reportedly authorized by Western allies, marks Ukraine's first known hit on a Su-57 fighter jet, considered Moscow's most advanced military aircraft.
Satellite images released by Ukraine's main military intelligence service revealed the aftermath of the attack, showing black soot marks and craters around the aircraft at the Akhtubinsk base in southern Russia. The distance of the airfield from Ukraine suggests that drones were likely used in the strike.
The United States and Germany recently permitted Ukraine to conduct limited strikes on Russian soil using long-range weapons supplied to Kyiv. President Joe Biden's approval allowed American arms to be used for defending Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, resulting in Ukraine already utilizing U.S. weapons for strikes inside Russia.
The Su-57 fighter plane, capable of carrying stealth missiles over long distances, is a rare asset in Moscow's arsenal. Russian reports indicate that more than 10 new Su-57s were acquired last year, with plans to produce 76 by 2028.
Following the strike, Russia claimed to have downed three Ukrainian drones in the Astrakhan region, where the Akhtubinsk airstrip is located. Since Russia's invasion over two years ago, Ukraine has increased drone production and conducted strikes deep inside Russia, including near St. Petersburg.
Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces continued drone attacks on Russia's southern border regions, causing damage but no casualties. In response, Russian shelling in Ukraine's front-line provinces resulted in civilian casualties and property damage, with ongoing heavy battles as Ukrainian troops defend against Russian incursions.
The recent easing of restrictions on Western weapons allows Ukraine to target Russian capabilities across the border, particularly to protect Kharkiv. While Moscow criticized the move, Biden's national security adviser defended it as a necessary response to Russian aggression.
The situation remains critical as Russia's offensive focuses on Kharkiv and other regions, testing Ukrainian defenses and prompting fears of further escalation. The impact of expanded weapon use on the conflict's trajectory remains uncertain, with concerns about potential NATO involvement in a war with Russia.
