A prototype of Russia’s Hunter S-70 combat drone was shot down over the occupied Donetsk region, in what experts are calling a significant embarrassment for Moscow’s air force.
The incident, which occurred near the front lines in the Donetsk Oblast, has raised questions about the drone’s deployment in such a volatile area.
Military specialists, after examining images of the wreckage, concluded that the destroyed aircraft was likely a Russian Hunter S-70, a next-generation combat drone that was being tested. According to reports, the drone was shot down either due to a loss of control or deliberately after it malfunctioned during the test flight.
Justin Bronk, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, called the incident a “stunningly embarrassing failure” for Russia. He pointed out that the fact the test flight occurred so close to the frontlines reveals poor decision-making.
If the S-70 Okhotnik [Hunter] were to fall into Ukrainian or American hands, it would be a substantial setback for the Russian Federation, both technologically and strategically. The biggest concern would be the exposure of sensitive construction details and stealth technologies utilized in the drone. “Hunter” is engineered with cutting-edge composite materials and specialized coatings that dramatically reduce its radar signature.
Should these technologies be acquired by rivals such as the US or Ukraine, they could potentially create counterstrategies to undermine the tactical edge of Russian stealth drones. Furthermore, US and allied electronic warfare [EW] capabilities could be significantly enhanced by identifying and exploiting the Hunter’s vulnerabilities. This would make it easier to detect and disable drones in future engagements.
Yet another critical concern is the revelation of the control systems and sensors employed by the Hunter. Its Active Phased Array Radar [APAR] and other integrated optoelectronic systems could be scrutinized by Western powers to pinpoint weaknesses in Russian reconnaissance and attack methodologies. Autonomous control systems might also be of high interest, as they likely consist of algorithms for independent decision-making, coordination with manned aircraft, and evasion of enemy threats.
According to reports, a pair of aircraft, consisting of a piloted Su-57 and the unmanned S-70, took off from Akhtubinsk Air Base, located about 365 miles from the front lines, for an operational test flight. The mission was part of the drone’s experimental trials, aiming to test its capabilities in live combat situations. However, a technical malfunction caused the drone to lose contact with its ground operator, veering off course toward Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Panic ensued among the Russian military responsible for the test. Radio intercepts from the flight control center revealed that ground commanders ordered the accompanying Su-57 pilot to attempt to disrupt the rogue drone’s flight path, even suggesting using the aircraft’s wing to divert it. Ultimately, a decision was made to launch an air-to-air missile to bring down the drone.
The S-70 “Okhotnik” crashed in Kostiantynivka, just 16 kilometers from the frontline, and its remnants were recovered by Ukrainian forces. Initial assessments of the wreckage cast doubt on Russian claims about the drone’s advanced capabilities. Contrary to Russian propaganda, the S-70 does not appear to feature the stealth polymers or advanced artificial intelligence systems that were advertised. “This is no advanced combat drone,” a Ukrainian defense expert said. “It’s more like a glider equipped with basic flight capabilities and radio controls.”
Additionally, the use of the Su-57 manned fighter as a command relay for the drone was seen as inefficient and highlighted the limitations of Russian networking capabilities. The S-70 lacks the robust stealth technologies that Russia has claimed to possess, and it does not feature the kind of network-centric systems comparable to NATO’s Link-16. Instead, the drone relies on a basic radio link for guidance, limiting its operational flexibility.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has long promoted the S-70 as a “loyal wingman” to the Su-57, capable of engaging in coordinated missions and using a wide range of airborne weaponry. However, the incident casts doubt on the drone’s ability to execute sophisticated combat maneuvers, including the use of air-to-air missiles or precision-guided weaponry.
Sources: ukdj; Bulgarian Military; Defence Blog;