What Happened
Rare Loss for Russia as Ukrainian Forces Claim Air Victory
The Ukrainian Air Force has confirmed the downing of a Russian Su-35 fighter jet on the eastern front, with a video released by the 3rd Army Corps showing the burning wreckage of the aircraft. The downing was announced on July 8, 2026, with the Ukrainian Air Force teasing the result earlier in the day before confirming the loss of the Russian fighter. The weapon system used to down the aircraft has not been officially identified, although some reports suggest it may have been engaged by a Patriot air defense system and F-16 fighter jets. The downing is a rare loss for Russia, with the Su-35 being one of the country’s most capable fourth-generation fighters. This was first reported by AeroTime.