The Friendly Fire Dilemma: Unpacking Russia’s Accidental Downing of Its Own Jet in Ukraine

Earlier this week, a Russian Su-35, one of the country’s most advanced and modern fighter jets, was reportedly hit by friendly fire from Russian air defenses near the southern Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. While the type of the aircraft was not immediately disclosed by the Russian official who shared the video of the incident on Telegram, the friendly fire incident comes as a notable mark against the Russian Air Force, which has been grappling with various issues since the start of the war.

Context: The Su-35 and Its Significance

The Su-35 multirole fighter jet is a critical asset in Russia’s air force arsenal. Designed to rival Western-made jets, the Su-35 is equipped with advanced avionics, radar systems, and weaponry. It is intended to play a pivotal role in achieving air superiority, a factor that becomes even more significant in the context of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Losing an asset of this caliber to friendly fire is not just a tactical setback but a strategic embarrassment that calls into question the readiness and effectiveness of Russia’s air force.

A Troubling Pattern: Previous Incidents

This isn’t the first time that Russia has lost aircraft either to friendly fire or technical glitches. Since the commencement of hostilities in Ukraine, four Su-35 jets along with other aircraft and helicopters have been lost. These incidents have fueled debates among military analysts, some of whom attribute such setbacks to a lack of training, experience, and maintenance within the Russian air force. Constant combat pressure, low morale, and possible deficiencies in the chain of command could be exacerbating these issues.