russia had planned to promote the Su-57 on the international arms market by demonstrating combat success in air operations over Ukraine. However, pilots of the Ukrainian Air Force managed to develop effective countermeasures against this threat, preventing aircraft that Moscow promotes as "fifth-generation fighters" from achieving any high-profile battlefield victories.
Read more: russia Claims Su-57 Is Safer Than F-35 Here's Marketing Trick Behind Pitch to India
This was stated by a Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot, whose name is withheld for security reasons, in an interview with RFE/RL as part of the Donbas.Realities project.
"We understood how their Su-57s operate. The russians had a clear task: in order to sell the Su-57, they needed to shoot down one of our aircraft. This was very obvious when a trio of Su-57s appeared and took up positions over Donetsk," the Ukrainian pilot said.
According to him, Ukrainian forces carefully analyzed the operating patterns of these enemy fighters and developed effective countermeasures. As a result, he emphasizes, the enemy failed to accomplish its objective of downing Ukrainian aircraft.
"And now there are no Su-57s here. Only occasionally do they appear in the north, and even then very quietly, like mice. They failed their mission. They didn't sell the aircraft, and they didn't advertise it. Experience and cooperation with our brothers-in-arms helped us avoid a global "super-PR campaign" portraying the Su-57 as some kind of super-advanced aircraft. It's nothing of the sort," the pilot stressed.
As of today, russia has only one confirmed buyer for the Su-57—Algeria. This was officially confirmed in February last year, while the contract itself was signed in the autumn of 2024. This can hardly be described as a success for an aircraft russia has been trying to sell for 16 years.
India is also reportedly interested in the Su-57 aircraft, or at least Moscow continues to promote the aircraft to New Delhi as an "interim" fifth-generation solution. There are indications that preparations for a potential deal may indeed be underway, as russian specialists have already assessed India's defense-industrial base to determine what would be required to localize Su-57 production.
However, it is important to note that russia appears willing to make virtually any concession in order to sell the aircraft to India. This reportedly includes technology transfer (engine included), integration of Indian-made weapons, and other significant compromises.
Earlier, Defense Express analyzed russia's so-called Item 177 engine installed on the supposedly "unmatched" Su-57 and explained why the aircraft still does not meet the criteria of a true fifth-generation fighter.
Read more: russia Reveals How Many More Years Its Su-57 Fighters Will Remain in Service
