UK Ministry of Defense: Russia 'Highly Likely' Shot Down Its Own Fighter

Russia has lost around 90 fixed-wing aircraft since the start of its invasion of Ukraine, according to British defense officials.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, October 05, 2023 at 04:38 PM ET

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Russian Air Force twin engine Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker fighter bomber war plane flying aerial detail exterior view. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A Russian Su-35S Flanker fighter jet was highly likely shot down over Ukraine by its own forces, according to British intelligence.
The incident occurred on September 28, 2023, over Tokmak, a heavily fortified town 20 km behind the front line.
This marks only the fifth reported loss of a Su-35S, one of Russia's most advanced combat jets in widespread service, since the invasion began.

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A Russian Su-35S Flanker fighter jet was recently shot down over a highly contested area of Ukraine, likely brought down by Russian forces, according to British intelligence officials.

“On 28 September 2023, Russian air defence forces highly likely shot down one of their of Su-35S FLANKER M multi-role combat jets over Tokmak, approximately 20 km behind the current front line,” the U.K. Ministry of Defense said Wednesday in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.