A prototype of Russia’s Hunter S-70 combat drone was shot down over the occupied Donetsk region, in what experts are calling a significant embarrassment for Moscow’s air force.
Footage circulating online shows the unmanned aircraft being hit by a missile mid-air before crashing to the ground.
Another missile can be seen fired from a separate aircraft, which military analysts believe was responsible for downing the drone.
The incident, which occurred near the front lines in the Donetsk Oblast, has raised questions about the drone’s deployment in such a volatile area.
Military specialists, after examining images of the wreckage, concluded that the destroyed aircraft was likely a Russian Hunter S-70, a next-generation combat drone that was being tested. According to reports, the drone was shot down either due to a loss of control or deliberately after it malfunctioned during the test flight.
Justin Bronk, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, called the incident a “stunningly embarrassing failure” for Russia. He pointed out that the fact the test flight occurred so close to the frontlines reveals poor decision-making.
Context:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russia-shot-down-its-own-stealth-drone/