Russian Su-57 in Algeria: A short video filmed by a local potato farmer is making big news online. Many people now believe Algeria has become the first country to receive Russia’s newest Su-57 stealth fighter jet. The video shows a dark jet shape flying across a clear blue sky above hills that look like northern Algeria. The clip was shared by an Arabic TikTok user named doz.kbran. His page mostly shows Algerian football moments and city views, which made people think the video was filmed inside the country.
Reports say the video was taken close to Oum El Bouaghi Air Base near the town of Ain Beida. The land and hills near that base match what can be seen in the footage. Because of this, defense watchers believe the jet flying in the video is real and not a fake or old clip.
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How Algeria became linked to the Su-57 deal
Algeria first showed interest in the Su-57 after visiting Russia’s MAKS air show in 2019. At that event, Russia showed the export version of the jet called the Su-57E. Talks quietly continued after that.
In October 2025, hackers from a group called Black Mirror leaked files from Russia’s state company Rostec. These documents suggested Algeria had ordered 12 Su-57 fighter jets. The same leak also mentioned a possible order for 14 Su-34 fighter-bombers. One leaked spreadsheet carried the name of AO Kret, a company that makes electronics for Russian fighter jets. The papers showed the avionics for 12 Su-57 jets costing about $200 million.
Russian aviation media later reported the total deal could be worth around $2 billion for 14 aircraft. In late 2020, Russia’s Sputnik news agency said Algerian sources confirmed the deal, though it was never fully clear if the final order was for 12 or 14 jets. In November 2025, Russia said it had already delivered two Su-57 jets to a foreign customer, which many believe was Algeria.
Regional Tensions
If confirmed, Algeria would be the first country outside Russia to operate the Su-57. This sale is important for Moscow as it looks for money from weapons exports after losing business due to the war in Ukraine. Russia has focused more on selling arms to countries in Africa and the Middle East, where leaders are less influenced by Western pressure.
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The United States has openly criticized the deal. “This arms deal is one of the issues the United States considers problematic” in relations with Algeria, said Robert Palladino, head of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, while speaking to a Senate committee. He added that such purchases “may trigger” sanctions under America’s CAATSA law.
The arrival of advanced jets in Algeria could also change military balance in North Africa. Algeria and Morocco have a long-running dispute and their border has been closed since 1994. In November 2024, Morocco’s foreign minister Nasser Bourita warned that Algeria is seeking “escalation” and that there are “signs that demonstrate Algeria’s will to start a war in the region and a military confrontation with Morocco.”
