Russia deploys its "best" Su‑57 fighters and secretive Ch‑69 missiles in Ukraine
Russians have recently started using their latest Su-57 fighters to fire Ch-69 missiles at Ukrainian positions. The Defense Express portal examined these aircraft and counted how many of these machines—previously described by Putin as "the best planes"—are in the Russian arsenal.
"The best planes in the world" were a hot topic among experts mainly because, according to British intelligence reports, the Russians had decided to refrain from deploying their newest T-14 Armata tanks and the Su-57 planes mentioned in Ukraine. The reason for this decision was cited as the fear of damaging the reputation of their "best" military equipment.
Modern fighters in Russia's service
As it turns out, the Su-57s are already participating in combat and – importantly – carry the secretive because it has been kept secret for years, a modern Ch-69 weapon. It's worth mentioning that similar reports of Su-57s appearing over Ukraine emerged back in 2022. However, the only proof of the plane's presence in the Russian Army at that time were satellite images of five units stationed at one of the Russian experimental centres.
Therefore, it's difficult to estimate exactly how many "best planes in the world" Putin's army currently possesses. Defense Express notes that there are most likely only ten machines. However, the portal relies on statements, as there's a lack of official data and evidence to confirm how large an army of Su-57s Russia has managed to build so far.
It is reminded that the mentioned 5th generation Su-75 fighter jets date back to designs from 2021. From publicly available information, it is known that the maximum speed of this machine reaches 1.8 Ma, or approximately 1367 mph, while its operational range is about roughly 1740 miles.
Ch-69 missiles not just for the Su-57s
On the weapon nodes, the Su-57 can carry weapons with a total weight of 8.2 tons – among them, the previously mentioned Ch-69 missiles premiered recently in 2023. The missile was kept secret before, although the first information that the Russians were working on a new design emerged in 2022. Moscow is reluctant to disclose progress in the research and development of Ch-69, but it is assumed to be equivalent to the American AGM-158 JASSM missiles.
The Ch-69 is over 4 metres long with a wingspan of 2.5 metres. The total weight of the missile is 770 kg, with the warhead alone weighing up to 300 kg. The propulsion is provided by a dual-flow turbojet engine NPO Saturn TRDD-50 MT.
Until recently, it was assumed that Ch-69 could only be carried by modern Su-57 fighters; however, aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi notes that Su-35s have also been adapted for this purpose. Moreover, Khrapchynskyi adds that the Ch-69, compared to its predecessor, the Ch-59 missile, can cover a maximum distance about 249 miles (Ch-59 reaches approximately 186 miles.
