Revealing details of Russian Su-57 production: can Ukrainian drones get there?

The Ukrainian media outlet Defence Express reports on June 9..

Regarding the second question, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine highlighted that Russian Su-57s serve as carriers of Kh-69 cruise missiles. These missiles were used to destroy the Trypillia thermal power plant, the largest in Kyiv region, in April 2024.

It turns out that targeting one Su-57 is equivalent to hitting oneTu-95MS strategic bomber.

When it comes to the production of the Su-57, things get more complex. These Russian aircraft are made at a plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, situated in the Far East, beyond Lake Baikal. This geographical distance alone makes it impossible for a drone strike on this Russian aircraft factory, as it's approximately 8,000 kilometers away from Ukraine's border.

This brings attention to an interesting aspect regarding gaps in the structure of the Russian military-industrial complex. The Su-57 is manufactured at the same aircraft plant as the Su-35S. When the Russians established the Su-57 production line in 2020, they didn't construct new workshops. Instead, they added more equipment to existing facilities while attempting to speed up production by enhancing the efficiency of the aircraft plant's personnel.

It's likely that the Russians didn't anticipate the need to replace aviation losses due to Ukraine's air defense after February 2022. As a result, Russia had to prioritize ongoing production of Su-35S aircraft, which reached 7 in 2022 and 10 in 2023. While production of Su-57s also continued during this time, it was at a slower pace, with only a few aircraft being produced each year.

• On June 8, a Russian Su-57 fighter jet was hit at the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region, 589 km from the combat line in Ukraine.