Russia's Su‑57 launches stealth missiles in Ukraine, escalating conflict

The Russian Su-57 is often heralded by Kremlin propaganda as a superweapon, though Western experts disagree. Despite scepticism, it appears the Russians have started deploying their most advanced aircraft for operations in Ukraine.

Illya Yevlash, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Forces, highlighted the deployment of Russian forces' Su-57. He reported that Russia employs the Su-57 in missile strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure. These aircraft execute their attacks from a considerable distance, steering clear of the frontline.

The Kh-69 missile (Kh-59MK2), weighing approximately 1,764 pounds with a warhead mass of 661 pounds, boasts a substantial operational range of around 249 miles. Its stealth features enhance its ability to evade detection, presenting challenges in intercepting these missiles en route to their targets.

An additional strategic advantage of the missile is its capacity to navigate at extremely low altitudes—about 66-98 feet—rendering it virtually invisible to radar over long distances. Its operational characteristics are often likened to the British Storm Shadow missiles.