Russia Has Lost at Least 8 of Its Best Fighters Over Ukraine and Built More Than It Started the War With

Russia has lost at least eight of its best fighters theme is explored through reported combat losses tied to the conflict in Ukraine and the extensive use of the Su-35. Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed on the night of June 26–27 the loss of a MiG-29 over Poltava Oblast, stating the pilot ejected and was recovered safely, with causes “under investigation.” Within hours, Russian-linked channels and some open-source analysts claimed the MiG-29 was shot down by a Su-35S using an R-37M missile fired from inside Russian airspace over Belgorod at roughly 190 kilometers, though the claim remains unconfirmed. The article outlines Su-35S development from the Su-27M, noting it first flew in May 2011 and entered Russian service in 2014. It highlights features such as AL-41F1S engines with thrust-vectoring, the Irbis-E radar credited to detect large targets around 400 kilometers, and the ability to carry R-37M missiles. The text also states the Su-35 has been deployed since January 2016 and has conducted interceptions during late 2010s operations over Syria.