Russia’s Su-35 Super Flanker Fighter Keeps Falling Out of the Skies Above Ukraine
AI Analysis
The Russian Su-35S fighter is facing significant challenges in Ukraine, with losses attributed to advanced air defenses, drones, and precise engagement tactics. Reports suggest weaknesses in the Su-35's avionics and radar systems, compounded by operational wear and potential shootdowns involving Western systems like the F-16 and AIM-120 missiles.
Key Takeaways
- Russian Su-35S fighters are struggling to maintain air superiority in Ukraine.
- Losses are exacerbated by Ukraine's use of drones, adaptive air defenses, and precise targeting systems.
- Critics highlight deficiencies in the Su-35's avionics and radar performance.
- Operational wear and high attrition rates are straining Russia's replacement capacity.
- A reported Su-35 shootdown involved an F-16, AEW cueing, and AIM-120 missiles, signaling a shift in battlefield dynamics.
Why It Matters
The challenges faced by the Su-35 highlight the growing effectiveness of integrated air defense systems and drone warfare in modern conflicts. This underscores the strategic importance of counter-UAS technologies and advanced air defense coordination in neutralizing high-value assets like fighter jets.
<img width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Su-35.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Su-35S fighter. Image is an artist rendering - Creative Commons." style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Su-35.jpg 1280w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Su-35-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Su-35-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Su-35-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Su-35-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Su-35-600x337.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><p>Russia’s Su-35S has become a symbol of the VKS’s broader failure to secure air superiority in Ukraine. Confirmed losses vary widely by source, with open-source tallies sitting far below Ukraine’s claims—yet even modest attrition bites when replacement capacity is constrained. The battlefield has shifted from stand-off glide-bomb success to a punishing ecosystem of drones, adaptive air defenses, and precise engagement chains that compress Russian margins. Critics argue the Su-35’s avionics and radar hype doesn’t match reality, while recent reporting highlights wear-out from operational tempo—and a potentially watershed moment: a reported Su-35 shootdown tied to an F-16, AEW cueing, and an AIM-120.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.19fortyfive.com/2026/02/russias-su-35-super-flanker-fighter-keeps-falling-out-of-the-skies-above-ukraine/">Russia’s Su-35 Super Flanker Fighter Keeps Falling Out of the Skies Above Ukraine</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.19fortyfive.com">19FortyFive</a>.</p>