Su-57 Jets Escort Helicopters in Simulated Strike on Drone Control Post

Russian Su-57 fighter jets provided air cover for Ka-52 attack helicopters during a simulated strike on an enemy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control post, as part of the ongoing Center-2026 military exercises, according to Russia's state news agency TASS.

The helicopter crews used light multi-purpose guided missiles to strike the mock command post, which had reportedly been located by reconnaissance assets at the Chebarkul training ground. The drill is designed to rehearse coordinated strikes against adversary drone-control infrastructure, a capability that has taken on added importance in modern conflicts where UAVs play an expanding battlefield role.

The presence of Su-57 jets, Russia's fifth-generation stealth fighter, alongside the Ka-52 helicopters points to an emphasis on layered air support during the exercise, combining fixed-wing escort with rotary-wing strike capability against a single target set.

Center-2026 is one of Russia's large-scale, periodic strategic exercises involving multiple branches of its armed forces across numerous training grounds. Such exercises typically combine live-fire drills, command-post simulations, and inter-service coordination intended to test and demonstrate military readiness.

Details on the exact number of aircraft and helicopters involved in this specific phase of the exercise, as well as the precise timeline, were not disclosed in the available reporting.