Aerial War in Ukraine
Drone S-70 Ochotnik-B: An official image of the Sukhoi-made drone.
Russia Gave Ukraine the Wreckage of Its Latest Combat Drone
Text: Miro Barič
“We wanted the best, but it turned out as always.” This famous quote from Russian statesman Viktor Chernomyrdin in 1993 has become widely known and is deeply ingrained in Russian culture. It is also fitting for the biggest event of the observed period (October 1–31), which was the loss of the latest Russian combat drone, the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B, during one of its first operational deployments.
Russian propaganda had long boasted about these heavy combat drones. This year, according to various bombastic statements, mass production of hundreds or even thousands of units was supposed to begin. However, according to available information, only four prototypes have been produced so far, and one of them has already been lost.
This happened on Saturday, October 5. The S-70 Okhotnik-B took off from the Akhtubinsk base, located over 580 km east of the front line, for an operational-test flight. It was accompanied by a Su-57 fighter jet. The approach of the pair of aircraft to the front line was clearly visible due to the condensation trails they left behind. Suddenly, the second aircraft fired a missile that hit the leading aircraft, which then spiraled to the ground in a flat spin.
Initially, Russian channels celebrated, claiming that the Russian fighter jet had shot down a Ukrainian F-16. However, the downed aircraft was neither Ukrainian nor an F-16—it was Russian and, moreover, a highly valuable asset. The Okhotnik-B drone first flew in 2019, though its development by the Sukhoi and MiG companies began long before. The drone has a wingspan of about 20 meters and weighs 20 tons. It can reach speeds of 1,000 km/h and is primarily designed to serve as an escort aircraft for the Su-57. Its armament is carried in an internal weapons bay in the fuselage.
For its last flight, the Okhotnik-B was armed with a guided glide bomb, the UMPB D-30SN, which was later found among its wreckage. It is believed that during this flight, the drone was supposed to test bombing Ukrainian positions. However, the drone went out of control. When all attempts to regain control failed, the accompanying Su-57 shot it down to prevent it from falling into Ukrainian hands. Yet, this plan did not go as intended for the Russians. The drone crashed near Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, approximately 11 km from the front line—but on the Ukrainian side. Ukrainian forces quickly reached the wreckage, and photographs showed that at least one wing and a large part of the fuselage remained relatively intact.
Although Russia fired two Iskander ballistic missiles at the crash site, it did so with a significant time delay. In the meantime, Ukrainian forces managed to transport the wreckage for analysis. Among the remains, numerous electronic components of Western origin were found, indicating how Russia has been circumventing sanctions. Additionally, a serial number was discovered, suggesting that this was the fourth and most recent prototype.
Another official photo of the Sukhoi-made S-70 Ochotnik-B.
A wing from the downed Ochotnik-B drone remained intact.
Debris of the Ochotnik-B drone, including its fuselage and engine.
Ukrainian soldiers quickly accessed the wreckage of the Ochotnik-B.
Based on its serial number, this appears to be the fourth prototype of the S-70 Ochotnik-B.
Further Russian Losses
In addition to the Okhotnik drone, the Russian Air Force suffered relatively high losses during the observed period, losing five aircraft and one helicopter. Interestingly, most of these losses occurred under unclear circumstances, leading some media outlets to speculate that Ukrainian F-16 fighters might be responsible for shooting down some of these aircraft. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.
The first Russian loss in October occurred on Wednesday, October 2, in an unspecified area of Ukraine. A Su-25 attack aircraft from the 960th Assault Aviation Regiment crashed, killing Lieutenant Colonel Igor Gaivoronsky. It is reported that the crash was caused either by a technical malfunction or pilot error. The aircraft was likely flying low, and the pilot did not have time to eject.
On Thursday, October 10, a Yak-130 trainer jet crashed under unknown circumstances in the Volgograd region. The pilots ejected and were hospitalized. The case is being investigated by the military prosecutor’s office of the Southern Military District.
The streak of losses continued on Saturday, October 12, when a Su-34 fighter-bomber crashed under unclear circumstances. Both crew members died in the incident. Two weeks later, on Saturday, October 26, Russia lost two more aircraft. In the first case, a Su-25 attack aircraft crashed after running out of fuel just before reaching its destination airport. The pilot ejected safely. On the same day, a Mi-28 helicopter crashed into the Kerch Strait between occupied Crimea and Russia. It belonged to the 487th Independent Helicopter Regiment, and both crew members, including Captain Artem Pavlov, were killed.
At the very end of the month, on Thursday, October 31, Russia lost another Su-34. Again, the circumstances of its loss remain unclear. The aircraft belonged to the 2nd Mixed Aviation Regiment, and its two crew members perished. One of the airmen was identified as Captain Arman Bigalinov.
During this period, the first photos surfaced of the wreckage of a Russian Mi-24 helicopter that had been destroyed on April 5, 2023, near the village of Berestove in the Bakhmut district. Members of the Ukrainian 10th Separate Mountain Brigade shot it down using a Polish-made Piorun portable missile system. The helicopter’s crew—Major Vyacheslav Dolgobrod and Senior Lieutenant Ilnaz Fazylov—did not survive. While the downing of this Mi-24 was known, until now, only distant footage of the burning wreckage had been available.
In another case, the circumstances remain unclear. Social media in October featured photos of Su-25 wreckage and Russian trucks hauling it away from the crash site. It is likely these images are tied to a known incident, though they were published for the first time. One photo shows a serial number, 06090.
Lastly, one photo emerged from a highly publicized incident where an Il-76M transport plane (RF-86868) belonging to the 117th Military Transport Aviation Regiment was shot down on January 24, 2024, near Yablonovo in Russia's Belgorod region. All six crew members aboard were killed. At the time, Russia claimed Ukrainian prisoners of war were on board, but this was never confirmed. The new photo shows the front section of the fuselage, seemingly reconstructed from wreckage during the crash investigation. It reveals that the aircraft was riddled with shrapnel.
Loss of Su-25 pilot: Lt. Col. Igor Gaivoronsky died on October 2 when his Su-25 crashed.
Mi-28 Helicopter crash: Capt. Artem Pavlov died on October 26 when a Mi-28 helicopter fell into the Kerch Strait.
Su-34 crash: Capt. Arman Bigalinov was one of two crew members who perished in a Su-34 crash on October 31.
Mi-24 helicopter downed in 2023: A photo of the wreckage from an Mi-24 shot down in April 2023 was released.
Wreckage of a Russian Su-25 with serial number 06090; photos were recently made public.
Il-76M front fuselage: The remains of a transport Il-76M shot down on January 24, 2024, in the Belgorod region.
Ukrainian Losses
The only operational loss on the Ukrainian side during the observed period occurred on Tuesday, October 22, at an unspecified airfield in the Lviv region. A Mi-24PU1 helicopter, tail number 605, belonging to the 16th Independent Army Aviation Brigade, crashed while approaching for landing. There were three crew members on board—a major, a captain, and a senior lieutenant—who all sustained injuries. The helicopter suffered damage to its fuselage, main rotor, and tail rotor.
Sabotage operations at airbases have primarily targeted Russian aircraft and helicopters, carried out by Ukrainian special forces or local saboteurs (often teenagers recruited online). However, on Tuesday, October 29, an arson attack occurred at Ukraine's Kropyvnytskyi airfield in the Kirovohrad region. A Mi-2 helicopter was damaged in the attack. However, it was an old decommissioned aircraft that had been stationed there since at least 2012.
During the observed period, new footage emerged of several older incidents, some previously unknown or lacking detailed accounts. One such incident occurred on August 22, during a training flight in the Khmelnytskyi region. A Ukrainian Aero L-39M1 Albatros collided with a stork mid-flight. The bird penetrated the cockpit windshield, causing the cockpit canopy to detach and the ejection seat to activate. For unknown reasons, the parachute of Major Serhii Plihuzov, one of the crew members, failed to fully deploy, resulting in his death. The other crew member, Major Viktor Zhos, remained in the damaged aircraft and successfully landed it. Both officers served in the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade. Major Zhos had previously flown as a navigator on Su-24M aircraft.
Mi-2 arson attack: On October 29, an old, decommissioned Ukrainian Mi-2 helicopter was damaged in an arson attack.
L-39 collision: A photo from an incident which took place on August 22 when a Ukrainian L-39 collided with a stork.
Major Pliguzov’s death: The pilot, Major Sergey Pliguzov, died as his parachute failed to open fully during the incident.
Destroyed Slovak MiG-29
Unfortunately, photos have surfaced of the wreckage of a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet. Based on its characteristic gray-green camouflage, it was identified as one of the aircraft donated by Slovakia in March 2023. The photos appear to have been taken during the winter months, given the lack of vegetation. No details are known about its loss—whether it crashed or was shot down. However, the wreckage includes the ejection seat handle, indicating that the pilot did not eject and likely perished. According to The Military Watch website, it is almost certainly MiG-29AS with the original Slovak number 2123.
Slovakia donated 13 MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. Of these, ten were operational, and three were without engines, meant to serve as spare parts. Out of ten operational jets, only four flew to Ukraine from Slovakia’s Sliač airbase under their own power on March 23, 2023. Aircraft number 2123 was among this group. The remaining six repairable aircraft were transported to Ukraine by land. At least one of these, the two-seater MiG-29UBS with the number 1303, was repaired by Ukrainians and entered service with a new number, 80.
Slovak MiG-29 wreckage: Debris from a former Slovak MiG-29, likely serial number 2123.
A photo from March 2023 showing four Slovak MiG-29AS jets departing for Ukraine, including aircraft 2123.
An older image of a former Slovak MiG-29 in Ukrainian service.
F-16s Gradually Arrive
A final piece of recently revealed information pertains to the loss of an F-16AM destroyed on August 26, which claimed the life of Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Mes of the 204th Tactical Aviation Brigade. The cause of this crash remains unclear, though rumors suggest it may have been struck by Ukraine’s own Patriot air defense system. The serial number of the destroyed jet has now been disclosed: it was 80-3600, a former Danish Air Force aircraft previously designated E-600.
Denmark has confirmed delivering six F-16AM jets to Ukraine, marking the first shipment that arrived in July. Denmark has pledged a total of 19 F-16s, with two more shipments scheduled. One is expected to arrive before the end of 2024.
At the turn of September and October, the Netherlands retired its fleet of F-16s after 45 years of service, having first acquired the type in 1979. With 40 of its 58 ordered F-35s now delivered, the Netherlands could phase out its older jets. The country has pledged to supply 24 F-16s directly to Ukraine, with the first Dutch aircraft arriving in early October, although the exact number delivered remains undisclosed. An additional 18 Dutch F-16s have been sent to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots are undergoing training. All 18 have already been transferred.
For now, Ukraine is deploying its F-16s to counter Russian air raids, officially using them against cruise missiles. No reports of other engagements have been confirmed. Further details about aircraft deliveries to Ukraine and pilot training will be discussed in the next installment of this series.
Despite the challenges the ukrainian pilots maintain their sense of humor.
Czech Mi-24 helicopter: A former Czech Mi-24 adorned with markings for downed Iranian Shahed drones and other UAVs like Orlan-10. Supposedly the helicopter was previously marked as 3366.
Drone defense: Ukrainian forces in action against daily Shahed drone attacks from Russia.
Gepard tanks: Proven German-made anti-aircraft tanks in use.
Propaganda images of Ukrainian Su-27 fighters.
A message on a Ukrainian drone mocks Putin, labeling him a pedophile.