Ukraine confirms drone strike on Su-57 and Su-34 aircraft at Shagol airbase deep inside Russia

Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on May 1 that its Unmanned Systems Forces struck several Su-57 stealth fighters and a Su-34 fighter-bomber at the Shagol airbase in Russia's Chelyabinsk Oblast on April 25. The targets were located approximately 1,700 km from Ukraine's state border, the General Staff said in a statement. The extent of the damage is being clarified.

Satellite imagery from Telegram channel Exilenova+ showed damage and the post-strike relocation of two Su-57s and one Su-34 between April 17 and April 26. The imagery captured Russian crews clearing the aftermath on the apron, with the aircraft moved from their original parking positions in a pattern consistent with damage assessment and recovery work.

Russia has fewer than 30 Su-57s in service, the type having entered service only in December 2020. Ukraine first damaged Su-57s in June 2024 at the Akhtubinsk airfield in Astrakhan Oblast, about 600 km from the front lines. A Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot told Donbas.Realii in January 2026 that Russia kept Su-57s away from active operations over Ukraine, scrapping plans to use combat appearances as an export-promotion campaign.

The strike was part of a broader wave of Ukrainian long-range strikes on April 25, with drones also reaching areas near Yekaterinburg for the first time. Ukrainian defense adviser Serhiy Sternenko said Russian air defenses misfired and struck a residential building during the attack.