Would Russia Really Send Its Su-57 Stealth Fighters To Die In Ukraine?

By Harrison Kass

Persistent rumors hold that the Russian’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet has been deployed in the Russo-Ukraine War. The rumors, derived from a Russian media report, would represent a progression in the Su-57’s roll-out; the Su-57 had not yet entered operational service. 

While the jet was tested in a combat evaluation over Syria, the Su-57 has thus far been used sparingly. If the Su-57 is in fact deployed in Ukraine, it will mark the first ever deployment from a Russian fifth-generation fighter. TASS news agency claims this deployment has already occurred.

Su-57 in Ukraine

“The use of Su-57 aircraft in Ukraine began two to three weeks after the start of the special operation,” the agency’s interlocutor said. (Note: “special operation” refers to the full-blown invasion of Ukraine). “The aircraft operate outside the zone of active destruction by enemy air defense systems, using missile weapons.”

The claim that Su-57s are being used in Ukraine should be taken with a grain of salt. “TASS states that it has ‘no official information on this matter,’” Thomas Newdick wrote for The War Zone. 

“With the fighters reportedly operating outside of Ukrainian air defenses, we’re much less likely to see imagery that would confirm their involvement there. We also have no details as to where these Su-57s might have been operating from, when they supposedly started flying missions as part of the conflict, or if they are still reputedly involved in the fighting.” Obviously, there are more questions than answers.

In March, a video purported to show an Su-57 over Ukraine. However, the quality of the footage was poor – and the Su-57 sighting could not be confirmed. Some viewers argued that the video portrayed not an Su-57, but an Su-24 in a swept-wing configuration.

Deploying the Su-57 in Ukraine would make sense; the ongoing conflict represents an opportunity to test the abilities and weapons systems of the new jet. Additionally, “trials of the [Su-57] in Ukraine could be intended to help boost the fighter’s fortunes both on the export market and in the bid to win local orders,” Newdick wrote.