Russia’s secret stealth drone crashes in Eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian forces examine wreckage of Russia's stealth drone, gathering crucial intelligence on its capabilities.

A Russian stealth combat drone, known as the S-70 Okhotnik, was downed near the front line in eastern Ukraine, sparking widespread intrigue.

Ukrainian forces inspecting the wreckage believe the unmanned aerial vehicle is a crucial part of Russia's advanced military technology, BBC reported.

The drone, reportedly as large as a fighter jet, was found near the city of Kostyantynivka, a site close to ongoing conflict.

This old Russian defence ministry picture shows the Su-57 jet flying in tandem with an earlier version of the Okhotnik combat drone Photo: BBC

The dramatic incident unfolded as two vapour trails were spotted in the sky. Witnesses initially thought it was a Russian warplane attacking another in a potential case of friendly fire.

However, the falling debris suggested the destruction of the Okhotnik drone. This stealthy, unmanned aircraft, developed since 2012, is designed to perform strikes on ground and aerial targets as well as reconnaissance missions.

The Okhotnik is believed to have been flying with a Russian Su-57 fighter jet, raising speculation that the warplane was either attempting to regain control of the drone or had orders to destroy it before it entered Ukrainian hands.

The Russians lost control of the drone, possibly due to electronic jamming by Ukrainian forces, experts suggest.

The crash of the drone marks the first known use of the Okhotnik in combat during Russia's war on Ukraine. It has been under development for over a decade, with its first flight recorded in 2019.

The vehicle's stealth capabilities are said to be advanced, but recent analysis by Ukrainian experts hints that its technology may still be vulnerable.

Ukrainian aviation specialists are already studying the wreckage. Kyiv-based expert Anatoliy Khrapchynskyi believes that the drone’s stealth features may not be fully developed, pointing out design elements that could be easily detected by radar.

Images from the crash site suggest that the drone’s round engine nozzles and rivets, likely made from aluminium, limit its stealth potential.

As Ukrainian investigators comb through the remains of the aircraft, one of the items found at the crash site was the wreckage of Russia’s long-range D-30 glide bomb. These bombs, notorious for the devastation they have caused in cities like Kharkiv, use satellite navigation to strike with deadly accuracy.

It remains unclear whether the drone was fully operational or part of Moscow’s tests to integrate it with its Su-57 jets. Despite the loss of the Okhotnik, this development shows that Russia continues to experiment with new technologies in its military campaigns.

Neither Moscow nor Kyiv has made official comments on the crash, but analysts believe this failure of the Okhotnik represents a significant blow to Russian military ambitions.

While Ukrainian forces may have prevented this drone from becoming fully operational, the incident highlights Russia’s ongoing efforts to develop smarter, more advanced weapons.

Ukrainian investigators quickly reached the scene and began inspecting the wreckage. Photo: BBC

For Ukraine, recovering the wreckage offers a rare opportunity to study this technology closely. The insights gained from the debris could be passed on to Ukraine’s Western allies, potentially aiding in future defences against Russia's evolving arsenal.