Russia has planned to use the deployment of its Su‑57 fighters in combat operations over Ukraine as a tool for export promotion. The idea was to create the image of a fifth-generation fighter in operational use and to convince potential buyers of its effectiveness, Donbas.Realii by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
However, the plan ran into the reality of Ukrainian airspace, says a Ukrainian MiG‑29 pilot. His name has been withheld for security reasons.
The pilots were able to analyze Russia's tactics in advance and completely neutralize Moscow’s attempt to turn the war into a marketing campaign for its flagship fighter.
Why Russia's tactics were anticipated before the first shot
“We knew how their Su‑57s operate. Their task was clear — to sell the Su‑57, they needed to shoot one of us down. And it was very obvious when a trio of Su‑57s appeared over Donetsk,” the Ukrainian pilot explains.
According to him, Ukrainian forces had studied in detail the algorithms of Russian fighter actions, their behavior in the air, and characteristic signs of engagement. This allowed them to develop effective countermeasures in advance and prevent the scenario Moscow hoped to use for a demonstrative “victory.”
As a result, the Russian Su‑57s failed to achieve their main objective — shooting down a Ukrainian aircraft and creating the information effect needed to boost the fighter on the international market.
Quiet as mice: why the “fifth-generation jet” disappeared from Ukrainian skies
“And now there are no Su‑57s. Only occasionally do they appear in the north, but quietly as mice. They didn’t accomplish their task. The planes weren’t sold, no marketing effect was achieved,” the pilot emphasizes.
He notes that combat experience, coordinated teamwork, and cooperation among Ukrainian pilots prevented the “super PR” Russia aimed for.
“Experience and collaboration helped us not let this show make it seem to the world that the Su‑57 is some super-cool aircraft. It’s not cool at all,” he concludes.
Context is further provided by a previous incident with the Russian Okhotnik combat drone, which crashed near Ukrainian positions close to Chasiv Yar. According to available data, the Su‑57 had been pursuing the drone, likely attempting to prevent it from falling into the hands of Ukraine and its partners.
Russia’s $15 million stealth drone is back—15 months after Ukraine got the last one
However, the attempt failed. The Okhotnik crashed near Kostiantynivka in Ukrainian-controlled territory, meaning its design and internal systems will now be thoroughly studied by Ukrainian specialists and their allies.
