Ukrainian hackers claim to have shot down a $50m SU-57 fighter using Russia's own air defense

Date:
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:10:00 +0000

Description:
InformNapalm claims cyber specialists manipulated Russian air defenses into destroying a Su-57, although Moscow insists the aircraft suffered a technical failure.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Ukraine says Russian defenses mistakenly destroyed one of Moscow's premier fighter jets InformNapalm claims cyber intelligence turned Russian air defenses against their own aircraft Russia insists a technical failure caused the reported Su-57 crash near
Moscow A Russian Su-57 fighter jet recently crashed in the Moscow region, and Ukrainian intelligence sources say it was no accident.

The international intelligence community InformNapalm claims a combined human and cyber intelligence operation manipulated a Russian air defense unit into striking its own aircraft. The jet, valued at roughly $50 million, represents one of Russia's most advanced fighter platforms currently in active service. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: How the operation reportedly unfolded InformNapalm says the effort began earlier, when analysts processed a large volume of intercepted Russian communications and footage from a training ground.

That footage showed the BARS Moscow air defense system being trained specifically to counter Ukrainian long-range drones over the capital region. You may like Ukraine claims low-cost drone obliterated a $50m Russian missile launcher system in seconds Satellite images confirm Ukraine's 800km drone strike destroyed an irreplaceable Russian bomber Ukraine claims $400 FPV
drone destroyed Russia's $19 million 'Apache rival' attack helicopter

Analysts used the material to build a detailed report covering personnel training, hardware, software, and combat algorithms tied to the system.

The report also identified specific vulnerabilities within the BARS Moscow network that outside actors could exploit. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me
with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

This information was reportedly submitted to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, which allegedly used the findings during the operation.

We thank our friends cyber specialists of the future Cyber Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, InformNapalm emphasized, saying the intelligence gathered went beyond passive observation, and was instead used to influence how the specific air defense unit actually operated.

The group says this approach allowed the very system built by Russian engineers to be turned against a Russian aircraft. What to read next
Ukrainian hackers breach 'rudimentary' Russian combat control system controlled by Telegram groups Don't let its name fool you: Ukraines P1-SUN interceptor has downed 5,000 drones One year ago, Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb to destroy billions of dollars worth of Russian combat planes It 'served as a warning to the United States'

The result, according to InformNapalm, was the destruction of the Su-57 by
its own side's defenses, a claim that Russia vehemently denies. Russia
insists a technical failure caused the crash The Russian Ministry of Defense attributed the crash to a technical malfunction, which is common rather than any external interference or sabotage.

InformNapalm disputes that account, noting reports of sabotage within the
BARS Moscow system had already circulated in pro-Russian online spaces beforehand.

The group also points to a prior operation from 2025, called OKBMLeaks, in which it published documents from a Russian manufacturer supplying components for the aircraft.

That earlier material was translated into 13 languages and picked up by numerous international outlets covering the war.

However, there is no independent verification of InformNapalm's claim,
leaving Ukraine's account directly contested by Russia.

Coincidentally, Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsiya lowered the maximum flight altitudes near Moscow airports and banned transit flights over the region.

Officials cited security concerns tied to a rise in Ukrainian drone activity as the reason behind these restrictions.

Whether the security concern includes the recent case cited by InformNapalm remains to be seen.

Airlines remain worried that the changes could add 20 to 30 minutes to routes that once passed directly through Moscow's airspace corridor.

Kommersant, a major Russian business newspaper, also reported that the lower altitude ceiling raises the risk of bird strikes.

Whether the crash resulted from sabotage or a genuine technical fault, the competing accounts remain unresolved for now.

Via Army Inform (originally in Ukrainian) Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/ukrainian-hackers-claim-to-have-shot-down-a-usd5 0m-su-57-fighter-using-russias-own-air-defense


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)