Official statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense or verified independent investigations

Russian Advanced Drone Downed Near Kostyantynivka Amid Friendly Fire Claims

Oct 5, 2024, 10:11 AM

A Russian military aircraft was shot down over the Donetsk region near the cities of Kostyantynivka and the Chasiv Yar sector on Friday morning. Initial reports suggest that the aircraft, originally identified as a Su-25 close air support jet, was downed by Ukrainian forces. However, subsequent accounts indicate that it may have been a friendly fire incident involving Russian forces themselves. Some sources have speculated that a Russian Su-34 fighter jet accidentally shot down the Su-25 while attempting to engage a Ukrainian aircraft. Others suggest that the downed aircraft was not a Su-25 but the advanced Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B unmanned stealth drone, valued at $15 million, marking the first reported loss of this drone. The drone may have lost contact and flown into Ukrainian airspace before being shot down by a Russian Su-57 fighter jet. Videos and images of the crash site have emerged, showing the wreckage in territory controlled by Ukrainian forces. There is no official confirmation yet on the type of aircraft or the status of any pilot.