Russian air defense has shot down its own Su-35 fighter jet over occupied Tokmak, Zaporizhzhia region, the British Ministry of Defense reports on Twitter.
"On September 28, 2023, Russian air defense forces may have shot down one of their own Su-35C FLANKER M multi-role combat aircraft over Tokmak, approximately 20 km behind the current front line," the statement said.
This is a significant loss for Russia, given that the Su-35S is considered one of Russia's most advanced fighters. Intelligence reports indicate that Russia has already lost about 90 fixed-wing aircraft since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The incident over Tokmak was the fifth loss of Su-35 fighters.
The report also notes that a Russian headquarters is located in Tokmak: "These headquarters are usually protected by special short- and medium-range air defense systems. They are almost certainly in a very high state of readiness, as Ukraine continues to launch effective deep strikes on such locations."
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 04 October 2023.
— Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) October 4, 2023
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