Russia’s Newest Su-57 Fighter Jet Failed to Protect Omsk Oil Refinery from Drones

A Russian Su-57 fighter jet was spotted in the skies over Omsk during an attack by Ukrainian drones.

There is currently no confirmed information on whether the aircraft managed to shoot down any drones or whether it arrived in the area after the attack on the oil refinery had already begun.

In addition to the Su-57, an A-50U long-range early warning and control aircraft was scrambled in response to the attack, according to Exilenova+.

Despite the deployment of such aircraft, Ukrainian drones successfully struck the Gazpromneft-ONPZ oil refinery.

The configuration of the Su-57 fighter jet itself also drew attention.

Previously, the Su-57’s design called for most of its weapons to be housed in internal bays, which was intended to keep the aircraft’s radar signature low.

However, during the drone attack, the priority for armament shifted to countering such threats.

The Su-57 began to be equipped with additional external hardpoints.

In particular, the fighter was spotted with a 101KS-N pod mounted beneath one of the aircraft’s engines.

The 101KS-N is an external electro-optical target-designation pod.

R-74 short-range air-to-air guided missiles can also be seen on the external hardpoints.

In this way, the Russians have adapted the Su-57 to perform tasks involving the detection and interception of drones.