Expensive and embarrassing failure. UK intelligence tells how russia had to shoot down its own S-70 UAV

The aggressor state of russia had to shoot down its own S-70 Okhotnik ‘Hunter; UAV, which was under development for at least ten years, because it lost control of the drone.

The Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom announced this in its intelligence update on X, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

So, on October 5, russia shot down its own S-70 Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle as it flew west over the front line in Ukraine. It is likely that russia lost control of the UAV and decided to destroy the drone so that it would not fall into enemy hands.

The S-70, developed by Sukhoi, is said to have been in development for at least ten years, and was spotted testing at the russian airbase in Akhtubinsk.

A key feature of the S-70 is the reduced cross-section of the radar, which should make it a "stealthy" long-range strike, potentially capable of penetrating the enemy's radar and air defense systems. It is assumed that the system can work together with the Su-57 fighter.

It is likely that russia waited until the last moment before deciding to engage the UAV, having exhausted all attempts to bring it back under its control.

"This demonstrates yet another expensive and embarrassing failure of Russian weapons development and will almost certainly delay the S-70 programme," the agency summarized.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the newest russian S-70 Hunter heavy aircraft was shot down in the Donbas. Ukrainian volunteer Serhii Sternenko released footage of the wreckage of this heavy drone.

To request a correction, please send an email.