Russia’s S-70 Hunter Drone Was Armed When Shot Down By Friendly Fighter Over Ukraine

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Photos of the wreckage of the Russian S-70 Okhotnik-B (Hunter-B) UCAV shot down over Ukraine reveal it was carrying a precision-guided glide bomb, indicating the drone was undergoing operational trials. The drone, potentially a fourth prototype, was shot down by a Russian fighter, likely to prevent sensitive technology from falling into Ukrainian hands. The S-70 was likely testing its performance in a contested environment, possibly engaging Ukrainian targets. This incident underscores the increasing use of advanced unmanned systems like the S-70 in the Ukraine conflict, with its stealth and strike capabilities being of interest to Russia’s military. Despite its potential, the limited number of S-70s suggests its use in the conflict may be more symbolic or experimental at this stage.

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