British Intelligence: Russia Fears Sending Advanced Aircraft Into Ukraine

• 9.01.2023, 10:16

SU-57 FELON did not fly into Ukrainian territory.

Since at least June 2022, Russian Aerospace Forces have almost certainly used Su-57 FELON to conduct missions against Ukraine. FELON is Russia’s most advanced fifth-generation supersonic combat jet, employing stealth technologies and highly advanced avionics.

However, as the British analysts point out, these missions have likely been limited to flying over Russian territory, launching long-range air-to-surface or air-to-air missiles into Ukraine.

In particular, recent commercially available imagery shows five FELON parked at Akhtubinsk air base in the Astrakhan region, which hosts the 929th Flight Test Centre. As this is the only Su-57 FELON base, these aircraft have likely been involved in operations against Ukraine.

“Russia is highly likely prioritizing avoiding the reputational damage, reduced export prospects, and the compromise of sensitive technology which would come from any loss of FELON over Ukraine,” the British analysts note.

Thus, Russia continues its risk-averse approach to employing its Air Force in the war.

As the website Charter97.org reported earlier, the AFU fighters downed two Russian helicopters in four hours.