Ukraine Strikes Deep Inside Russia: Damages Advanced Su-57 Fighter Jet

Ukraine has successfully targeted and damaged a highly prized Russian Su-57 fighter jet stationed deep within Russian territory, according to a Sunday report from Ukraine's main intelligence directorate (GUR).

The attack struck the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region, about 360 miles from the front lines. Satellite imagery provided by Ukrainian military intelligence shows the Su-57 intact on June 7 and damaged on June 8.

The Su-57 is described by Ukrainian intelligence as Russia's "most modern fighter," capable of deploying Kh-59 and Kh-69 missiles. A pro-Kremlin Telegram channel, Fighterbomber, which often confirms Russian military losses, reported shrapnel damage to the aircraft, with its reparability still undetermined.

Unlike Russia's more commonly deployed Su-25 and Su-35 aircraft, the fifth-generation Su-57 has seen limited use since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. This strike marks the first instance of a Su-57 being damaged in combat, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.

Military correspondent David Axe noted in Forbes that if the damage is confirmed, this would be only the second stealth aircraft lost in combat since the US Air Force first deployed the Lockheed Martin F-117. The first instance was in 1999 when a Serbian air defense battery shot down an F-117 during the Kosovo war.

Ukraine has recently increased the range of its strikes into Russian territory. On Saturday, a video surfaced showing a Ukrainian long-range attack drone targeting Mozdok air base in Russia's North Ossetia region, about 450 miles from the front line. Although it is unclear if the drone caused any military damage, the base houses significant assets, including Tu-22M bombers, Su-24M/MR strike aircraft, and military helicopters.

Retired Australian army general Mick Ryan wrote earlier this year that such deep strikes force Russia to reassess and redeploy its air defense resources. David Axe added that Ukraine's escalating drone campaign has stretched Russia's air defenses thin, unable to protect all critical assets.

The last major Ukrainian attack on Russian warplanes was on May 17, when Ukraine hit Balbek Airfield in occupied Crimea, damaging a Su-27 and two MiG-31s.

Russian Company Offers Bounty for Downing Ukrainian F-16 Jets

 A Russian company has announced substantial rewards for shooting down any Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets. Sergey Shmotyev, the director of the Ural-based company Fores, has offered a bounty of 15 million rubles ($168,000) for the first F-16 downed and 500,000 rubles ($5,600) for each additional one.

In the past, Fores has offered rewards for destroying tanks, with 5 million rubles ($56,000) for the first tank and 500,000 rubles ($5,600) for each subsequent tank. Shmotyev mentioned that over 20 tanks have claimed these rewards.

Despite the planned delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, many military analysts and Western officials believe it won't drastically change the conflict's dynamics. Estonian Defense Chief Hanno Pevkur previously stated that the European Union has not reached a consensus on sending military personnel to Ukraine due to opposition from several countries.

The anticipated American-made F-16s, to be donated by countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, are expected to arrive later this year. Western experts and officials emphasize that the arrival of these jets depends on the readiness and training of Ukrainian pilots.

A Greek officer from the Hellenic Air Force has reportedly arrived in Kyiv to assist with the operational use of the F-16, although his identity remains confidential. Greece’s experience with Western combat aircraft, particularly through conflicts with Turkey, provides valuable knowledge in air-to-air missions.

Reports confirm that the first group of Ukrainian F-16 pilots has completed training in the USA, although the exact number of trained pilots is undisclosed. Earlier this year, a U.S. defense official noted that four Ukrainian pilots were training with the 162nd Wing at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, with 20 support personnel training in Texas.

Ukraine is set to receive several fourth-generation fighter jets from nations like the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway as part of a coalition fighter framework, including commitments from the U.S. to train Ukrainian airmen.

In 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced bonuses for Russian soldiers who destroy Western equipment on the battlefield. These include $1,200 for taking out a Leopard, Abrams, or Challenger 2 tank, and $600 for an armored infantry vehicle. Russian sources claim that 14 Abrams tanks have already been destroyed, resulting in payouts of $16,800 for each tank.

In an interesting twist, Russian grenadier Andrey Kravtsov received $12,000 in 2023 for destroying a Leopard 2 tank, with the sum potentially including additional rewards from private entities alongside state bonuses.

Ukraine will receive various types of F-16 jets, primarily the older F-16AM/BM Block 15 models, which feature basic electronics and systems. The Block 40 version has significant upgrades, including advanced radar and night flying systems, while the Block 50 version offers improved tracking and weapon capabilities. The Block 60, or F-16E/F, is the most advanced, featuring superior radar, electronic warfare capabilities, and extended range for longer missions.

US Navy to Decommission All Ticonderoga-Class Cruisers by 2027: Complete Schedule

 The U.S. Navy has scheduled the decommissioning of its remaining 13 Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers, with all expected to be retired by the end of 2027. The first to go will be the USS Vicksburg (CG 69) in June 2024, followed by the USS Cowpens (CG 63) in August, and the USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) in September. The last cruisers to be decommissioned will likely be the USS Chosin (CG 65) and USS Cape St. George (CG 71) in fiscal year 2027. This will mark the end of the service life for the Ticonderoga-class, the world's first cruisers equipped with the Aegis combat system.

The Vicksburg and Cowpens were among the seven cruisers included in the Navy’s Cruiser Modernization Program in the mid-2010s. However, their extensive modernization efforts, which have nearly reached a cost of one billion dollars, were never completed. Despite Congressional directives, the Navy ceased further work on these ships in early 2024 and added them to the decommissioning list. Of the seven ships in the modernization program, only the Gettysburg and Chosin have been redelivered, with ongoing work on the Cape St. George. Two other ships, the Hue City (CG 66) and Anzio (CG 68), were decommissioned in 2022 in poor condition.

The decommissioning dates, while subject to change, are unlikely to be altered significantly. All ships are set to become Logistical Support Assets, serving as sources for spare parts before eventually being scrapped or used in sinking exercises (SINKEXs). The cruisers are being retired around the end of their 35-year service lives and will be replaced by the new Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, of which only one is currently in service.

Below is the decommissioning schedule for the remaining Ticonderoga-class cruisers:

1. USS Vicksburg (CG 69): June 29, 2024

   • Last deployed in 2015; modernization halted in early 2024.

2. USS Cowpens (CG 63): August 30, 2024

   • Last deployed in 2014; modernization halted in early February 2024.

3. USS Antietam (CG 54): September 27, 2024

   • Recently transferred from Japan to Pearl Harbor.

4. USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55): September 27, 2024

   • Recently completed a U.S. Fourth Fleet deployment.

5. USS Philippine Sea (CG 58): Fiscal 2025

   • Currently deployed as the air warfare commander for the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

6. USS Normandy (CG 60): Fiscal 2025

   • Recently returned from a deployment with the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

7. USS Shiloh (CG 67): Fiscal 2025

   • Recently transferred from Japan to Pearl Harbor.

8. USS Lake Erie (CG 70): Fiscal 2025

   • Deployed with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group.

9. USS Princeton (CG 59): Fiscal 2026

   • Recently returned from deployment with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

10. USS Robert Smalls (CG 62): Fiscal 2026

    • Deployed with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); renamed from USS Chancellorsville.

11. USS Gettysburg (CG 64): Fiscal 2026

    • First ship to complete the Cruiser Modernization Program.

12. USS Chosin (CG 65): Fiscal 2027

    • Recently completed the Cruiser Modernization Program.

13. USS Cape St. George (CG 71): Fiscal 2027

    • Still undergoing modernization work.

Previously decommissioned Ticonderoga-class cruisers include:

• USS Ticonderoga (CG 47)
• USS Yorktown (CG 48)
• USS Vincennes (CG 49)
• USS Valley Forge (CG 50)
• USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51)
• USS Bunker Hill (CG 52)
• USS Mobile Bay (CG 53)
• USS San Jacinto (CG 56)
• USS Lake Champlain (CG 57)
• USS Monterey (CG 61)
• USS Hue City (CG 66)
• USS Anzio (CG 68)
• USS Vella Gulf (CG 72)
• USS Port Royal (CG 73)