MOD believes Russia destroyed its own advanced combat jet in friendly fire incident
British intelligence believes it is "highly likely" Russia destroyed one of its own advanced combat jets in a friendly-fire incident.
A video has circulated online showing the incident that happened over Tokmak on 28 September.
The footage, which was taken at night, appears to show an orange glowing orb in the sky that falls to the ground, leaving smoke hovering in the sky from where the jet was hit.
The pilot is believed to have been killed in the incident.
The MOD issued an intelligence update which said: "On 28 September 2023, Russian air defence forces highly likely shot down one of their own Su-35S Flanker M multi-role combat jets over Tokmak, approximately 20km behind the current frontline.
"Although Russia has lost around 90 fixed-wing aircraft since the start of the invasion, this is probably only the fifth loss of a Su-35S, Russia's most advanced combat jet in widespread service."
Tokmak is a Russian-occupied and heavily fortified city in south-central Ukraine that is in one of the most intensely contested sectors of the frontline, which makes it likely to be well-defended from air attacks.
Further footage captured by a drone allegedly shows the wreckage of the downed Su-35 jet in a field near the city.
The MOD believes that the loss of so many Russian aircraft will reduce its air power long-term in the conflict.
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