The Armed Forces of Ukraine published, on Monday, July 8, images showing the burned remains of a Russian Su-35 fighter jet. The aircraft was shot down by the Ukrainian Air Force in the country’s eastern border region.
The Third Corps of the Ukrainian Army confirmed what happened in an official statement. “A Russian Su-35 fighter is still on fire within the Third Army Corps’ area of responsibility!” the statement said.
According to reports from pro-Russian media channels, the pilot of the Su-35 managed to eject from the aircraft before the crash and survived. These Russian sources indicate that the soldier would already be back in positions controlled by Moscow forces.
However, the Soniashnyk channel on Telegram, associated with the Ukrainian Air Force, reported that the aerial battle resulted in the deactivation of a Russian aviator with extensive experience. According to the publication, this pilot represented a major challenge for Ukrainian defenses on the specific front line.
The Su-35 represents one of the most modern aircraft in the Russian fleet, being used by the Aerospace Forces for crucial missions. Generally, these jets act as escorts for Su-34 fighter-bombers, responsible for launching guided aerial bombs of high destructive power against Ukrainian targets in their positions and in cities close to the front line.
The downing of this Russian Su-35 multifunctional fighter on the eastern border, confirmed by the Ukrainian Air Force, reinforces the intensity of aerial clashes in the region and the impact on strategic operations on both sides.
