In the skies above eastern Ukraine, two vapor trails can signal an impending attack by Russian aircraft. However, a recent incident near Kostiantînivka was unlike anything seen before.
Drone Lost Control
One vapor trail split in two, followed by a bright orange flash illuminating the sky. Initially thought to be a friendly fire incident involving Russian jets, it turned out to be a catastrophic failure of Russia's advanced stealth combat drone, the S-70 Ohotnik.
The Ohotnik, which translates to "Hunter," is not your typical drone. This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is about the size of a fighter jet, designed to evade radar detection, according to Ziare.
Developers claim it has few, if any, global counterparts. Analysts believe the drone lost control, likely due to electronic warfare measures employed by Ukraine. A Russian Su-57 fighter jet was reportedly seen pursuing the errant drone before the incident occurred.
Gather Valuable Information
Neither Moscow nor Kyiv has officially commented on the aerial mishap.
Experts speculate that the Su-57 may have attempted to regain contact with the lost drone. Given the situation and the risks involved, it was likely decided to destroy the Ohotnik to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
The S-70 has been in development since 2012, with its first flight in 2019. Until now, there was little evidence of its deployment in Ukraine.
Capable of carrying bombs and missiles for strikes against ground and aerial targets, the drone was designed to operate alongside Russia's advanced Su-57 fighters.
Despite the loss, Ukrainian forces now have the opportunity to gather valuable information about the S-70's capabilities. They will examine the wreckage to determine whether the drone has its own radar systems or relies on pre-programmed coordinates for missions.
