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<\/p>\nRussia appears to have shot down one of its most advanced fighter jets over the frontline in Ukraine in what would be a humiliating blow for Moscow.<\/p>\n
Footage shared widely on social media appears to show a Russian missile streaking across the night sky before slamming into a plane which explodes and crashes to the ground.<\/p>\n
The unverified incident is said to have occurred near Tokmak, Zaporizhzhia Oblast near an area of heavy fighting in southern Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Unconfirmed reports from accounts on social media suggest the plane was a Russian Su-35 which was hit by a missile from one of Moscow\u2019s S-300 air defence systems. Russian authorities have not commented on the incident.<\/p>\n
The multipurpose fighter jet is one of Russia\u2019s most technologically advanced planes – Russia claims it is a fourth-generation fighter with fifth-generation technology.<\/p>\n
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This wouldn\u2019t be the first time Russian antiaircraft weapons have downed one of their own planes.<\/p>\n
In fact, according to reporting by Newsweek, one in five Russian aircraft losses since Moscow\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine were self-inflicted.<\/p>\n
Some of these losses are crashes while some have been shot down in friendly fire incidents. Western analysts say short training times and a lack of experienced pilots are likely to blame.<\/p>\n
The purported self-inflicted loss reportedly took place over Tokmak, a short distance from heavy fighting at the frontline near Robotyne.<\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s forces captured Robotyne earlier this month and are attempting to expand the breach there while attacking to the east towards Verbove.<\/p>\n