FACT CHECK: Image Alleges Ukrainian Forces Struck Su-57 Decoy
An image circulated on social media claimed that Ukraine mistakenly targeted a decoy Russian Su-57 fighter jet, which was allegedly just a ground painting. The claim suggested that a NATO attack was fooled by a decoy at Akhtubinsk Air Base, some 366 miles from the frontline. However, this accusation has been proven false.
The controversial image was initially shared by Brady Africk from the American Enterprise Institute on X (formerly Twitter), dated June 7. Misinterpretations arose when the actual attack occurred on June 8, and different social media users began spreading the narrative that what was hit was merely a decoy. Africk himself clarified that his image did not show any decoy being struck and that his post did not intend to suggest Ukraine hit a Russian decoy.
Further investigation confirmed that Ukraine had indeed targeted an Su-57, Russia’s most advanced fighter jet, which resulted in damage. This strike took place deep within Russian territory and was a significant incident given the advanced nature of the aircraft and the depth of penetration by Ukrainian drones. The social media claims about hitting a simple ground decoy were therefore debunked.
An image shared on X claims that the Ukrainians hit a Russian Su-57 decoy.
OH NO NO, NATO attacked a decoy Su-57. It was just a ground painting of one. HAHAHAHA. pic.twitter.com/G4ci3zZvY0
— Korobochka (コロボ) 🇦🇺✝️🇷🇺 (@cirnosad) June 9, 2024
Verdict: False
The satellite image is from June 7, while the attack was on June 8. The person who obtained the image also refuted the claim.
Fact Check:
Ukraine claimed to have hit a Russian Su-57 for the first time with drones, according to Axios. The Su-57 is Russia’s most advanced fighter jet, and the attack took place 366 miles behind the frontlines, the outlet reported.
Social media users are claiming that Ukraine hit a Su-57 decoy and are sharing a satellite image. One user wrote, “OH NO NO, NATO attacked a decoy Su-57. It was just a ground painting of one. HAHAHAHA.”
This claim is false. The image was shared to X by Brady Africk, a media relations associate at the American Enterprise Institute, and the image is dated June 7, while the attack was June 8. His original post does not state that Ukraine hit a Russian decoy.
Russia’s painted decoy aircraft at Akhtubinsk air base, predictably, did not mislead Ukraine’s drones in a recent attack on the site (which reportedly damaged an Su-57).
This base is nearly 600 kilometers from the front line in Ukraine. https://t.co/G0oE62jhSa pic.twitter.com/Jn9pMitQ7T
— Brady Africk (@bradyafr) June 9, 2024
“Russia’s painted decoy aircraft at Akhtubinsk air base, predictably, did not mislead Ukraine’s drones in a recent attack on the site (which reportedly damaged an Su-57). This base is nearly 600 kilometers from the front line in Ukraine,” Africk tweeted.
Africk also refuted the claim in an email to Check Your Fact.
“My satellite image is not evidence that Ukraine struck a decoy at Akhtubinsk air base. The image I shared is from June 7th and the attack took place on June 8th. The image I shared only shows that there are decoys located at the air base,” Africk said.
GUR shared a satellite image that showed damage to the runway near a parked Su-57. The image was also posted to X by OSINTtechnical. Oryx, a website that tracks visual losses in the Russian-Ukrainian war, also has it listed as a Russian loss (damaged). (RELATED: Time Magazine Incorrectly Used Word ‘Decimate’ In Joe Biden Fact-Check)
For the first time, Ukrainian drones appear to have scored a hit on a parked Russian Air Force Su-57 Felon.
Satellite images released by the GUR show signs of damage around the Russian fighter at Akhtubinsk airfield in Astrakhan Oblast yesterday. pic.twitter.com/apPJGZeKno
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 9, 2024
Popular Russian military blogger Fighterbomber, who has connections to the Russian Aerospace Forces, said in a Telegram post that the Su-57 was damaged.
“Yesterday the airfield in Akhtubinsk was attacked by a UAV. 3 pieces arrived. The Su-57 was damaged by shrapnel; it is now being determined whether it can be restored or not. If not, then this will be the first combat loss of the Su-57 in history,” the post partially reads.
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