MOSCOW — Russia has officially confirmed that its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter has achieved its first air-to-air kill during the conflict in Ukraine, marking the first official acknowledgment of such an engagement by Moscow. The announcement was made by Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev, who said the aircraft successfully employed the newly introduced RVV-SDM medium-range air-to-air missile while operating in a heavily contested combat environment.
According to Mikheev, the Su-57 has engaged airborne, ground and surface targets using Russian-made weapons while operating against advanced air-defense and electronic warfare systems. He stated that the aircraft demonstrated its capabilities in real combat conditions, including during the engagement that resulted in the confirmed aerial victory.
The announcement coincides with the international debut of the RVV-SDM, a new medium-range air-to-air missile developed by Tactical Missiles Corporation primarily for the export version of the fighter, the Su-57E.
RVV-SDM Designed for Internal Carriage
Rosoboronexport said the RVV-SDM is designed to be carried inside the Su-57E's internal weapons bays, allowing the aircraft to retain its low-observable characteristics during combat operations.
Official images released by the company show two RVV-SDM missiles mounted inside the fighter's internal weapons bay.
According to Rosoboronexport, the missile features:
- Fire-and-forget capability
- An active-passive radar seeker
- An inertial navigation system with radio data-link for mid-course updates
- Improved aerodynamic performance
- A higher power-to-weight ratio than earlier missiles
- Enhanced resistance to electronic jamming
The company also stated that the missile is capable of engaging fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at altitudes ranging from 15 metres to 25 kilometres and at target speeds of up to Mach 3. It is designed to operate during both day and night and under electronic countermeasure conditions.
Rosoboronexport has not disclosed the missile's maximum engagement range. While some estimates suggest performance comparable to or greater than the earlier RVV-SD, no official range has been released.
Defense analyst and former Indian Air Force pilot Vijainder K. Thakur has assessed that the RVV-SDM is likely an advanced development of the RVV-SD, modified for internal carriage and optimized for the Su-57's internal weapon bays.
The missile is also being offered for other Russian combat aircraft and, after suitable modifications, for selected foreign platforms.
First Official Confirmation of Su-57 Air-to-Air Victory
Although reports claiming Su-57 aerial victories had appeared earlier this year, Russia had not officially confirmed any such engagement until now.
In April 2026, reports attributed to Sergei Lebedev claimed that a Su-57 destroyed a Ukrainian aircraft over the Mykolaiv region using a long-range missile. In May, Russian media reported that a Su-57 had used an R-37M long-range missile against a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft over eastern Ukraine.
Those reports were never officially confirmed by Russian authorities. Mikheev's latest statement represents Moscow's first official acknowledgment that the Su-57 has achieved an air-to-air kill during the Ukraine conflict.
Su-57 Continues to Operate Cautiously
Despite the confirmed engagement, Russia has continued to employ the Su-57 cautiously during the war.
The aircraft has primarily been used for stand-off strike missions launched from outside heavily defended areas protected by Western-supplied air-defense systems, including Patriot batteries.
More recently, publicly available images have shown Su-57 aircraft carrying R-73 short-range air-to-air missiles on external wing pylons instead of inside internal weapon bays. Although this configuration reduces the aircraft's stealth characteristics, it is considered suitable for short-range interception missions against drones and cruise missiles.
Reports indicate the aircraft has been used in anti-drone operations, including missions near Moscow and in the defense of industrial facilities.
Export Campaign Focuses on Su-57E
Rosoboronexport is marketing the RVV-SDM as part of its broader export package for the Su-57E.
The company says international interest in the aircraft has increased following its combat record.
Algeria remains the only officially confirmed export customer for the Su-57E.
In November 2025, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Director General Vadim Badekha confirmed that the first two Su-57E aircraft had been delivered to a foreign customer and had entered combat duty. Subsequent reports and publicly available visual evidence identified Algeria as the recipient.
Algeria already operates Russian-built Su-30MKA, MiG-29, and MiG-25 fighter aircraft.
Russia also continues to promote the Su-57E to India, offering technology transfer and local production. However, no procurement decision has been announced by the Indian government.
Alongside the RVV-SDM, Rosoboronexport is offering other weapons for the Su-57E, including the RVV-MD2 short-range missile, the RVV-BD long-range air-to-air missile, and various internally carried air-to-surface munitions.
Ongoing Upgrades Under Megapolis Program
The Su-57 continues to receive upgrades under Russia's long-term Megapolis development program.
UAC has stated that the aircraft will continue evolving beyond 2040 through improvements to its weapons, onboard systems and overall capabilities.
In February 2026, the Russian Aerospace Forces accepted another batch of Su-57 fighters featuring an updated technical configuration.
Open-source analysis of official images identified visible changes to the aircraft's 101KS electro-optical complex, indicating expanded passive infrared and visual detection capabilities intended to improve situational awareness and self-protection.
Separately, UAC confirmed in December 2025 that the Product 177 (Izdeliye 177) engine had entered flight testing.
According to UAC, the engine produces up to 16,000 kilograms of thrust with afterburner, while offering lower fuel consumption and greater durability than the current AL-41F1 engines. The engine is planned for future integration into the Su-57 fleet.
Comparison With the F-35
Russia's announcement comes months after the first officially confirmed air-to-air kill by an F-35 against a manned aircraft.
In March 2026, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that an Israeli F-35I Adir shot down an Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran. Before that engagement, the F-35 had been employed against drones and cruise missiles in several operational theaters.
The operating environments for the two aircraft differ. Ukraine's airspace is defended by modern Western air-defense systems, including the Patriot system, while previous F-35 combat operations have taken place in different operational environments.
Russia has presented the Su-57's latest combat achievement alongside the introduction of the RVV-SDM as evidence of the aircraft's expanding operational role and as part of its continuing effort to promote the Su-57E and its associated weapons to international customers.
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