In what could be the most embarrassing incident for the Russian military, reports indicate that an advanced Russian S-70 Okhotnik (Hunter) drone was downed on October 5, 2024, over the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. 

Initial reports identified the aircraft as a Su-25 jet. However, further investigation and analysis of debris revealed the wreckage was from Russia’s next-generation stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).

The incident surfaced on Saturday, October 5, when various Telegram channels suggested that Russian forces may have mistakenly destroyed their own combat aircraft in what appears to be a friendly fire incident. 

While some speculated that Ukrainian forces shot down the aircraft, a source within Ukraine’s Defense Forces later confirmed that the destruction resulted from Russian “friendly fire.”

Russian military bloggers were quick to point out that the wreckage did not belong to a manned aircraft but rather to an unmanned aerial vehicle. 

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Photos from the crash site, featuring Russia’s red star aviation emblem, confirmed that the destroyed drone was Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik—a critical piece of Russia’s evolving drone warfare capabilities.

The S-70 Okhotnik is one of Russia’s latest developments in stealth drone technology, designed to operate as a “wingman” drone alongside the Su-57 fighter jet. It boasts advanced sensors and combat capabilities, making its loss particularly significant for Russia’s air and drone operations in Ukraine.

According to Russian Telegram channels, the incident occurred during a test flight near the frontline when the operator lost control of the drone. Fearing it could be captured by Ukrainian forces, Russian commanders allegedly ordered its destruction. 

Some accounts suggest that a Su-57 fighter jet was used to shoot down the drone, given that the S-70 is anticipated to operate in conjunction with these advanced aircraft during the ongoing test operations. 

Friendly fire incidents are not uncommon in war zones, but the destruction of a high-value asset like the S-70 represents a notable failure.

This incident also highlights ongoing issues with coordination and communication within Russian forces, which have faced repeated setbacks since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. 

A Major Setback For Russia

If confirmed, the downing of the S-70 Okhotnik would be a major blow to Russia’s drone warfare capabilities. This incident also marks the first confirmed loss of an S-70 Okhotnik, Russia’s advanced next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).  

Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Military Technology at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), weighed in on the incident, expressing his surprise at the apparent friendly-fire mishap.

He remarked that it seems the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) accidentally shot down their own Su-70 Okhotnik-B, a prototype heavy-combat UAV, in what he described as an “embarrassing failure.”

Bronk further suggested that this incident likely occurred during test flights near the front lines, possibly involving the testing of sensors or command-and-control systems (C2).

Despite widespread speculation and reports circulating on social media, the Russian military has not provided an official explanation of the circumstances that led to the aircraft’s loss. 

The S-70 Okhotnik (Hunter) is one of Russia’s newest and most advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV), currently under development by Sukhoi and Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. 

As part of Russia’s sixth-generation aircraft project, the S-70 is based on the earlier Mikoyan Skat drone design and incorporates cutting-edge technologies from the Su-57 fighter jet, significantly enhancing its stealth and combat capabilities.

The S-70 is manufactured by Chkalov’s Novosibirsk aviation plant in western Siberia. It is equipped with a flat nozzle to improve its stealth profile. 

The Russian Ministry of Defense ordered three prototypes of this drone to serve as ” wingmen” for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet. However, this drone is also capable of operating independently from the ground.

The first prototype of the S-70 Okhotnik was completed in 2018, with the second and third prototypes expected to be finalized in 2024. 

According to Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko, the S-70 boasts technologies that “surpass several foreign analogs in a number of parameters.” 

Powered by an AL-31 turbojet engine, the drone is expected to reach speeds of up to 1,000 kilometers per hour and cover a range of 6,000 kilometers.

While Russia has been pushing to accelerate the development of the S-70, the recent friendly-fire incident, if confirmed, could set back the timeline for deploying this next-generation UCAV.

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