Satellite Imagery Confirms Ukrainian Strike Damaged Su-57 and Su-34 Jets at Russia’s Shagol Airfield
Satellite imagery and official statements have confirmed that on April 25, 2026, Ukrainian forces struck several advanced Russian military aircraft at the Shagol airfield in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region, approximately 1,700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border .
🎯 The Target
The strike targeted the airfield’s parking apron, hitting at least two Su-57 “Felon” fifth-generation stealth fighters and one Su-34 “Fullback” fighter-bomber . The Su-57 is Russia’s most advanced combat jet, designed to rival Western aircraft like the F-35, while the Su-34 serves as a primary dedicated strike platform .
📸 Satellite Evidence
Open-source intelligence analysts from the Telegram channel Exilenova+ have published comparative satellite imagery showing the aftermath.
- Before the strike (April 17): The imagery shows the airfield intact with aircraft clearly visible on the apron .
- After the strike (April 26): The images reveal the strike site, with two Su-57s and one Su-34 missing from their original positions. Frames also appear to show Russian crews clearing the area .
This movement pattern is consistent with damage assessment and post-strike recovery operations, confirming the strike was effective .
📊 Strategic Significance
This operation represents a major strategic achievement for Ukraine for several reasons:
| Aspect | Significance |
|---|---|
| Range | The Shagol airfield is located 1,700 km from Ukraine, in the Chelyabinsk region just east of the Ural Mountains. This is one of the deepest strikes inside Russia since the start of the war . |
| Rarity of Target | Russia possesses fewer than 30 Su-57s. Losing or damaging even a single unit represents a significant material loss to Russia’s small advanced fleet, with a potential cost of these aircraft estimated in the tens of millions of dollars each . |
| Safe Haven No More | Russia had moved its most expensive assets, like the Su-57, to rear-area bases far from the front to protect them. This strike proves those bases are no longer safe, challenging Russia’s air power strategy . |
📜 Official Confirmation
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially confirmed the operation on May 1, stating:
“On April 25, at the Shagol airfield in the Chelyabinsk region of the Russian Federation, soldiers of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit several Su-57 fighters and a Su-34 fighter-bomber. The targets were located approximately 1,700 km away” .
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the operation highlights Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capabilities using unmanned systems .