A Russian Su-35 aircrew conducted an intercepting mission toward Swatovsky airspace and reported the destruction of a Ukrainian radar installation. The claim comes from the Russian Ministry of Defense and was carried by RIA News. The assertion is that a multi-class missile package, supported by accompanying aircraft, carried out patrols to back up bomber strikes and other combat aircraft in the area, including helicopters, as part of ongoing efforts to neutralize air defense assets around Ukrainian military targets.
The defense ministry stated that during one of these patrols, radar emissions emanating from a Ukrainian Armed Forces radar site were detected in the airspace. In response, an X-31PM air-to-surface missile was launched at the installation. Officials emphasized that guidance during the engagement led to the radar system ceasing to emit signals and remaining non-operational for the remainder of the mission. The narrative frames the incident as a successful suppression of air defense capability in the sector, contributing to the wider objective of disabling Ukrainian early warning and targeting infrastructure that could direct defensive responses.
Contemporary military production in Russia has continued to roll forward with fresh aircraft entering service. Reports indicate that the Irkutsk aircraft plant has delivered newer variants of Russian fighters and training aircraft to the Ministry of Defense, expanding the fleet available for air operations and training missions. These platforms include the Su-30SM2, a modernized fighter with enhanced sensor suites and avionics, alongside Yak-130 trainers designed to bridge the gap between basic flight training and frontline combat operations.
Observers and officials have previously discussed the balance of capabilities between the two sides, noting that Ukrainian forces rely heavily on unmanned systems for reconnaissance and strike roles. In particular, Ukrainian officials have highlighted strengths in the use of FPV drones for rapid, low-cost reconnaissance and strike options. The ongoing developments are part of a broader dynamic in which both sides continuously adapt tactics, technologies, and force structures to gain local advantages in contested airspaces and to complicate each other’s targeting and countermeasures. Marked sources attribute these assessments to official military communications and open-source briefings related to the conflict, reflecting the evolving technical landscape of the air war in the region. Source attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense; official dispatches; military press agencies.