The Ukrainian Air Force announced on July 8 that it had shot down russian Su-35 multirole fighter jet while operating on the eastern front.
The brief statement confirmed the aircraft's destruction but did not disclose additional details regarding the engagement, location, or the weapon system used.
Read more: Ukrainian Drones Target Eight Sanctioned russian Fuel Tankers, Cargo Ship, and Ferry in Sea of Azov (Video)
The Su-35, known by NATO as the Flanker-E, is one of russia's most advanced non-stealth fighter aircraft. Developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau as a deeply modernized evolution of the Su-27, it is classified as a highly maneuverable fourth-generation multirole fighter with enhanced avionics, radar systems, and long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.
The aircraft's origins date back to the late Soviet era. The first prototype flew on June 28, 1988, while the first production aircraft took to the skies in April 1992. However, the original Su-35 program was largely abandoned during the economic turmoil of the 1990s after only a limited number of prototypes were produced.
Russia revived the project in 2005 with a significantly redesigned version designated the Su-35BM. The production model, known as the Su-35S, entered service with the russian Aerospace Forces and has since become one of the backbone aircraft of russia's fighter fleet.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukrainian forces launched precision strikes before dawn, destroying russian BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system, four artillery guns, and two military vehicles before they could engage Ukrainian positions.
Read more: Ukrainian Brigade Destroys Grad MLRS, Four Artillery Guns in Morning Counterbattery Strike (Video)
