2 Su-57 Destroyed Simultaneously. Almost 5th Generation…

May 2, 2026May 2, 2026

Let’s be honest — instead of “2 Su-57 destroyed simultaneously”, we really wanted to make the headline “2 fifth-generation aircraft destroyed simultaneously”. That would’ve been good clickbait and it would undoubtedly attract attention. But it would be a lie. Although russians stubbornly call their Su-57 a “fifth-generation aircraft”, technically it can’t be one because of its engines. The Su-57 uses AL-41F1S engines. These are a modernization of old Soviet AL-31F engines. They don’t provide supercruise — sustained supersonic flight without using afterburner. This is necessary for stealth aircraft so they can fly in low-observable mode for extended periods. Likely the mismatch with stated requirements combined with disproportionately high price were why India once refused to purchase the Su-57.

But despite its shortcomings, this is the most modern aircraft the enemy has. It was already used in the war against Ukraine. Accordingly, Ukrainians were already hunting them, and quite successfully. The first documented Su-57 strike was carried out by HUR¹ forces back in June 2024. The target was “Akhtubinsk” airfield in Astrakhan oblast, located 589 km from the line of combat contact.

And in April 2026, destruction of two such aircraft simultaneously was confirmed:

On April 25, 2026, the Armed Forces Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) struck the “Shagol” military airfield in Chelyabinsk oblast of the aggressor state russia, resulting in four occupier combat aircraft getting hit. Satellite reconnaissance showed the attack managed to hit two fifth-generation Su-57 fighters, one Su-34 fighter-bomber, and another aircraft of undetermined modification.

Madyar Confirms the Strike

Although the airfield strike itself happened on April 25, visual confirmation was published only on May 1. Here’s how USF Commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi voiced it:

Freedom-loving Ukrainian Birds of the 1st USF on April 25, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the military airfield ‘Shagol’ in Chelyabinsk, RF
As a result of satellite reconnaissance, the General Staff confirmed hits by at least three deep strike weapons with varying degrees of damage to the following aircraft of Khrobaks²:

2 units Su-57 fighter
1 unit Su-34 fighter-bomber
1 unit Su of undetermined modification

*UPD satellite imagery recorded remains of a destroyed aircraft maintenance vehicle that was positioned between the Su-57 aircraft.
After the strike, the pecked aircraft were moved to other, closed parts of the airfield.

**Hunting multirole fighter-bombers Su-34 and fifth-generation fighters Su-57 has critical significance for reducing enemy strike potential. The Su-34, as the main strike platform, is capable of carrying a wide spectrum of guided bombs and missiles, delivering strikes on critical infrastructure, military objects, and civilian targets from distances up to 1,000 km. Each destroyed Su-34 means fewer air strikes, saved civilian lives, and reduced load on air defense systems. The Su-57, as russia’s most modern fighter with reduced-visibility technologies, poses a special threat to aviation and air defense systems. The approximate price of one Su-34 is $35-50 million dollars. The cost of an Su-57 is $100-120 million dollars per unit.

More will undoubtedly follow…

Russian Tactics

It’s worth noting that russian “5th generation aircraft” usage tactics were the same as for 4th generation aircraft. That is, without entering Ukrainian airspace — and this is the cardinal difference from real Stealth aircraft tactics like the F-35 or B-2. At certain moments, Su-57 fighters fly to airfields closer to Ukraine’s border or the front line, for example, to “Engels-2” or “Borisoglebsk” air bases. From there they perform combat sorties, after which they pull back again to distant bases like “Shagol”.

Also telling is the strike distance at which 2 Su-57 destroyed simultaneously happened. This is 1,700 km from Ukraine’s border, and this means air bases at such distance already stopped being safe. The enemy will have to pull aircraft even farther, for example to the Novosibirsk area.

¹HUR (Ukrainian: ГУР, Головне Управління Розвідки, Holovne Upravlinnya Rozvidky) – the military intelligence agency of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

²Khrobak – term used by Madyar and USF pilots for the Pidars. Literally “vile worm” or “maggot” in Ukrainian. In nature, worms are food for birds; in war, Madyar’s Birds annihilate the Khrobaks.