In a significant development reported amidst escalating cross-border military activity, the Ukrainian Air Force claims to have shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet over Russia’s Kursk Oblast on June 7, 2025. If confirmed, this incident would mark another notable loss for the Russian aerospace forces in the ongoing conflict.
This reported downing would bring the total number of Russian aircraft destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 to an estimated 414, according to Ukrainian military assertions. Such claims, while difficult to independently verify in the fog of war, highlight the continuous attrition suffered by both sides in the protracted aerial conflict.
The alleged Su-35 shootdown comes in the wake of a series of recent, aggressive Ukrainian operations targeting Russian air assets. One notable initiative was “Operation Spiderweb,” a coordinated drone campaign that aimed at Russian airfields located deep within Russian territory. This sophisticated operation reportedly inflicted substantial damage, with Ukrainian sources claiming a staggering $7 billion in losses and the disabling of over a third of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet. These drone strikes underscore Ukraine’s growing capability to project force beyond its immediate frontlines and target high-value Russian military infrastructure.
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The Kursk Oblast region itself has been a flashpoint of recent military activity. Ukrainian forces had reportedly achieved a significant penetration into the area in August 2024. In response, Russia launched a determined counteroffensive in March 2025, reportedly reinforced by North Korean troops, to fully retake control of the region. The alleged Su-35 downing fits within this broader context of intensified ground and air engagements along the border, reflecting a dynamic and fluid battlefield situation.
The Su-35 is one of Russia’s most advanced 4++ generation fighter jets, making its reported loss a potentially valuable victory for Ukraine’s air defenses. Such incidents underscore the continuous struggle for aerial dominance and the evolving tactics employed by both sides in this modern conflict.