Russia is increasingly fielding its Su-57 Felon stealth fighter jets in combat operations against Ukraine, according to multiple sources, including the aviation-focused community “Sonyashnyk,” which is closely linked to Ukrainian military observers.
The reports suggest a shift in both the intensity and sophistication of Su-57 employment. Russian forces are reportedly refining armament options and testing new tactics for using the aircraft in full-scale warfare. These efforts include multi-aircraft formations and expanded roles in strike missions deep into Ukrainian territory.
“Whole formations of Su-57s have already been observed in action,” Sonyashnyk reported, noting that “one aircraft provides cover using long-range R-77M air-to-air missiles while another pair conducts strikes with Kh-69 cruise missiles or precision-guided bombs.”
The same sources claim that alongside the Kh-69, Russian forces are testing what appears to be a new type of guided weapon — potentially a hybrid between a drone and a missile. Referred to in some open-source circles as the Su-71K, the system is reportedly harder to detect by radar and is capable of sharp, evasive maneuvers.
These bringing into actions reflect a wider trend in Russian attempts to adapt to Ukraine’s air defenses and develop combat-tested procedures for its fifth-generation aircraft, which remain in limited production.
In a notable incident in October 2024, a Su-57 was reportedly involved in an escort mission for a prototype of the S-70 Okhotnik heavy strike drone. According to the reports, the S-70 lost control mid-flight due to a technical malfunction and was ultimately destroyed by the accompanying Su-57 in what appears to have been a pre-planned emergency protocol.
The Su-57 program, originally known under its prototype name T-50, first flew in 2010 but has faced recurring delays. The project’s development has been hampered by a lack of foreign investment. India’s withdrawal from the joint fighter program dealt a severe financial blow to the platform’s future, removing what was once viewed as a key funding stream.
Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions have further disrupted production timelines and raised questions about the viability of any substantial export future. Although Russia has attempted to generate foreign interest — offering partial local assembly options to countries such as India and Algeria— those efforts have yielded little in terms of confirmed sales.
The Ministry of Defense in Moscow has not publicly confirmed the scale or nature of the Su-57’s combat operations over Ukraine. However, the increased visibility of the aircraft in theater appears to coincide with a broader strategy aimed at showcasing the jet’s capabilities to potential foreign buyers.
By deploying the Su-57 in live war zones, Russia likely seeks to generate interest from international partners and demonstrate the fighter’s operational utility under combat conditions. With few potential export clients and production still measured in single digits annually, the stakes for salvaging the program remain high.
With the war in Ukraine serving as a live testing ground, Russia appears intent on proving that the Su-57 is more than a prototype legacy. The coming months may reveal whether the aircraft can transition from symbolic flagship to functional pillar in the Russian Air Force — and whether foreign buyers are convinced by what they see in combat.