A Ukrainian drone badly damaged, and possibly destroyed, a Russian air force Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter on Russia's Akhtubinsk State Flight Test Center in southern Russia 365 miles from the Russia-Ukraine border. The first aircraft in Russian military service to emphasize stealth, the Su-57 employs a variety of methods to reduce its radar signature.

And it’s possible a second Su-57—out of around two dozen Su-57s the Russian air force has acquired since the type’s first flight in 2010—was also damaged in the raid. “There is preliminary information that there could be two Su-57 aircraft affected.

Su-57s are equipped with Kh-69 cruise missiles, and stealth capabilities. Essentially, a single Su-57 can inflict as much damage to critical infrastructure as a Tu-95MS strategic bomber could.

The recent drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian air force bases mark a significant evolution in the conflict's dynamics. These strikes, mainly targeting high-value assets like the Su-57 stealth fighter jet, demonstrate Ukraine's enhanced capability and strategic intent to disrupt and weaken Russian military infrastructure. By successfully reaching deep into Russian-held territory, Ukraine showcases its growing proficiency in drone warfare and its commitment to leveraging innovative methods to counter Russian advances. These operations signal a shift in Ukraine's military strategy, potentially reshaping the balance of power and adding new complexities to the ongoing conflict.

The strike came shortly after its Western allies allowed Kyiv to use their weapons for limited strikes inside Russia. But it wasn’t immediately clear what hit the airfield allegedly housing the twin-engine Su-57 stealth jet, lauded as Moscow’s most advanced fighter plane. Its distance from Ukraine suggests it was most likely hit by drones.

The easing of restrictions on the use of Western weapons will help Ukraine protect Kharkiv by targeting Russian capabilities across the border, according to Ukrainian and Western officials. It is unclear what other impact it may have on the direction of the war, in what is proving to be a critical period.

The move drew a furious response from Moscow, and warnings it could embroil NATO in a war with Russia. But Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, described it as “common sense.”

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