a latest generation Russian drone shot down in the Donbass… by a Russian fighter

Images that have gone viral on social media show a Russian stealth drone shot down in Ukrainian skies. Except that the latest generation aircraft was obviously shot down deliberately by a Russian fighter.

The images have been circulating in a loop since Saturday October 5 on Ukrainian social networks and on a few accounts specializing in military issues.

Images of two aircraft flying at high speed and high altitude, followed by two white trails. After a few seconds, a missile is fired by the fighter and hits the aircraft in front of it. A hit target which begins a dizzying fall, and of which we discover images of what appears to be its wreckage, still smoking, in an area held by Ukrainian forces in Donbass, between Konstantinovka and Chasiv Yar, approximately 70km north of Donetsk.

On the wreckage of the aircraft’s fuselage appears a red star, the symbol of the Russian armed forces. And based on these photographs, the machine corresponds to the very latest model of Russian combat drone: the S-70 Okhotnik-B.

A flying wing-shaped device, whose inaugural flight dates back to 2019, and whose work the Russian Ministry of Defense has so far mentioned without confirming mass production. Tested in recent years, this stealth drone, with a wingspan of nearly 20 meters, is not yet part of the official range of the Russian army, but corresponds to the models currently being developed in the most cutting-edge armies. the planet. Announced with impressive speed and autonomy capabilities (at least 6,000 kilometers), it would be able to carry out numerous missions, both offensive and defensive. And it is therefore this state-of-the-art Russian weapon which was allegedly shot down… by a Russian hunter!

At this stage, only hypotheses are put forward to explain the operation. That of accidental “friendly fire” seems very improbable in view of the images which suggest a deliberate strike. Another possibility, more plausible, is that of a loss of control of the drone which would have led to the decision to sacrifice it. Whether it was during a test flight, or during a combat mission, impossible to say at the moment.

These drone models certainly constitute a future asset for the air forces. Ultra-sophisticated devices, equipped with artificial intelligence, and designed to be associated with fighter planes, piloted by a human. An alliance which corresponds to the so-called doctrine of “loyal wingman” or “the faithful wingman” in good French. Like Russia, the American, Chinese and European armies are working on these associations between fighters and latest generation drones, an aircraft that can closely coordinate the missions of a squad of drones difficult to spot. Provided you keep control of them…