Ukrainian Forces Claim Successful Downing of Russian Su-35 Fighter Jet Over Kursk

Ukrainian officials announced on Saturday that their forces successfully intercepted a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in the Kursk region.

In April, Russian troops expelled Ukrainian forces from the Kursk area, just months after Kyiv initiated an audacious cross-border strike there in August 2024.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force via their Telegram channel, «This morning, June 7, 2025, our Air Force conducted a successful operation in the Kursk direction, resulting in the downing of a Russian Su-35 fighter jet.»

The Air Force shared aerial footage purportedly showing the wreckage of the aircraft engulfed in flames.

Details regarding the precise circumstances or location of the jet’s downing were not disclosed.

The Russian Defense Ministry has yet to comment on this reported incident.

The Moscow Times has been unable to independently verify these claims.

A local outlet in Russia’s Belgorod region reported that the jet went down in the Kornevsky district of Kursk.

A pro-war Telegram channel known as Fighterbomber stated that the pilot survived the incident.

The Sukhoi Su-35 is recognized as one of Russia’s most advanced fourth-generation fighter jets.

Since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia is believed to have lost at least seven Su-35s due to friendly fire, crashes, or being shot down by Ukrainian forces.