While Moscow has not announced the deployment of the Su-57 in Ukraine, if the reports are accurate, it would be part of the Kremlin’s efforts to showcase the aircraft’s capabilities.
The Russian Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) went on quite the “road show” over the past year, appearing at several notable aviation-themed exhibitions and air shows, including the Zhuhai Airshow in China, the Aero India Exhibition, and the Latin American Aerospace and Defense exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Su-57 remains a crowd pleaser, where its pilots perform impressive aerobatic demonstrations and engage in such maneuvers as Pugachev’s Cobra and the Kvochur Bell. Videos shared online have garnered millions of views.
It is important to remember that those demonstrations were not meant only to impress the attendees at the air shows. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has sought to entice foreign buyers for the aircraft. However, apart from a deal with Algeria and a possible unconfirmed co-production deal with India, interest in the Su-57 has been limited.
The Su-57’s Specifications
- Year Introduced: 2020
- Number Built: Between 10 and 22
- Length: 20.1 meters (65 ft 11 in)
- Height: 4.6 meters (15 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 14.1 meters (46 ft 3 in)
- Weight:
- 18,000 kg (39,683 lb) empty
- 35,000 kg (77,162 lb) maximum takeoff weight
- Engines: 2 × Saturn AL-41F1 afterburning turbofan engines
- Top Speed: Mach 2 (2,135 km/h, 1,327 mph) at altitude
- Range: 3,500 km (2,200 mi) subsonic, 1,500 km (930 mi) supersonic
- Service Ceiling: 20,000 m (65,600 ft)
- Loadout: 12 hardpoints; mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons
- Aircrew: 1
Russia’s Su-57 Is Yet to Be Tested in Battle
One factor for the lackluster sales has likely been that the Kremlin has not deployed the Felon in a significant combat role in the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, there are now reports that Russia is willing to prove to the world that the Su-57 is an actual combat aircraft.
Defence Blog, an industry publication, cited reports from the online aviation group “Sonyashnky” that the Su-57 has been increasingly employed in combat operations inside Ukraine, including in “multi-aircraft formations.” The fifth-generation multirole fighter, armed with the R-77M air-to-air missiles, is providing cover for other aircraft that can fire the Kh-69 cruise missile or launch precision-guided bombs at Ukrainian targets.
While Moscow has not publicly confirmed the deployment of the Su-57, if the reports are accurate, it would be part of the Kremlin’s efforts to showcase the aircraft’s capabilities.
“By deploying the Su-57 in live war zones, Russia likely seeks to generate interest from international partners and demonstrate the fighter’s operational utility under combat conditions,” explained Defence Blog.
Deploying the Su-57 could be a risky move, especially should Ukraine succeed in shooting down a Felon, but “With the war in Ukraine serving as a live testing ground, Russia appears intent on proving that the Su-57 is more than a prototype legacy.”
Russia’s Decision Could Backfire if the Su-57 Flops
Russia will need to hope that the Su-57 can perform as advertised, or even better. A “lucky shot” by Ukraine, or even a Russian pilot error, could do far more harm than good.
Just ask the executives at Dassault Aviation in France.
At the start of the recent war between India and Pakistan in May 2025, India underestimated the capabilities of the Chinese-made PL-15 air-to-air missile. Consequently, Pakistan used the missile to shoot down an Indian Air Force (IAF) Dassault Rafale omnirole fighter—a major propaganda coup for Pakistan, and a humiliation for India and Dassault. In the aftermath of that conflict, Chinese diplomats and online pundits mocked the capabilities of the French-made fighter. It may have been only the first Rafale to be lost in combat, but the damage was done.
The fighting in Ukraine has been covered on social media to such an extent that losses are impossible to hide. Russia was quick to highlight the downing of an American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon this spring, as well as the destruction of Western-supplied main battle tanks, including the German Leopard 2, American M1 Abrams, and British Challenger 2.
Not surprisingly, Moscow has tried to limit the reports of the losses of its own combat aircraft, barely acknowledging the fighters that were shot down. However, pro-Kremlin military bloggers have been far more open in confirming such setbacks and losses.
Thus, if and when a Su-57 is lost, it could be an actual public relations disaster for Moscow. Still, UAC and the Kremlin may not have much of a choice. It is a no-win situation.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / Skycolors
