---
title: "Ethiopia receives first 12 Russian Su-35 jets, thanks Putin for early delivery"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/ethiopia-receives-first-12-russian-su-35-jets-thanks-putin-for-early-delivery"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ethiopia-receives-first-12-russian-su-35-jets-thanks-putin-for-early-delivery"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/ethiopia-receives-first-12-russian-su-35-jets-thanks-putin-for-early-delivery.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ethiopia-receives-first-12-russian-su-35-jets-thanks-putin-for-early-delivery"
category: "Conflict & Security"
area: "Africa"
published: "2026-10-28T14:25:11.182Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-28T13:33:37.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-29T00:00:46.241Z"
trust_score: 68
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-29T05:16:55.210Z"
---

# Ethiopia receives first 12 Russian Su-35 jets, thanks Putin for early delivery

*Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the aircraft put Ethiopia ahead of other sub‑Saharan nations and announced future receipt of four S‑400 air‑defence batteries amid fighting in the north.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Multiple outlets confirm the delivery of 12 Su-35 jets and S-400 systems, with Digi 24 providing a full report.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Most outlets provide digests, with Digi 24 offering a full report. Some mention the context of internal conflict.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines emphasize the delivery and its implications for Ethiopia's military capabilities.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Ethiopia received twelve Russian Su‑35 fighter jets a year before the agreed deadline.
- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed thanked President Vladimir Putin for the accelerated delivery.
- The government said four S‑400 air‑defence batteries will be delivered later.
- The delivery occurs while Ethiopia’s military fights rebel groups in the north.

On 28 October 2026 Ethiopia took formal delivery of the first twelve Su‑35 fighter jets from Russia. The aircraft were handed over a year ahead of the schedule set in the bilateral agreement. Ethiopian authorities also announced that four batteries of the Russian S‑400 air‑defence system will be supplied in the near future.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed publicly thanked President Vladimir Putin for accelerating the transfer. In a post on the social network X he said the jets place Ethiopia at the forefront of military capability among sub‑Saharan African states. He added that the new equipment will help deter aggression and strengthen regional stability.

The delivery took place while Ethiopia’s armed forces remain engaged in combat with rebel groups in the country’s northern region. The conflict follows a declaration of a “defensive war” by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front earlier in September.

## Disagreement on delivery destination

Haberler’s digest states that the first twelve Su‑35 fighter jets were delivered to Russia under an agreement, whereas Digi24, Reuters‑based WTVB, The Straits Times and all other outlets report that the jets were delivered to Ethiopia. The two versions conflict on the destination of the aircraft.

> "Dotându-se cu aceste aeronave de luptă, Etiopia a preluat conducerea în rândul ţărilor din Africa subsahariană"
>
> — Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopian Prime Minister

**12** — Su‑35 fighter jets delivered (First batch arrived a year ahead of schedule)

## Omissions

None of the right‑rated digests mention the specific quote in which Abiy Ahmed said the delivery was a historic moment for Ethiopia’s sovereignty and collective security. The centre‑rated reports include that phrasing, while the right‑rated summaries do not.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 21 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 24% (5)
- Centre: 38% (8)
- Right: 38% (8)

25 of 46 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-29T05:16:55.210Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 2 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-29T05:30:28.260Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- All five left‑rated digests reported that Ethiopia received twelve Russian Su‑35 fighter jets and that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the delivery. Business Insider, Al Jazeera, Punch Newspapers, aljazeera.net and fakti.bg each noted that the jets will be accompanied by four S‑400 air‑defence batteries.
- Business Insider led on rising regional tensions, while Al Jazeera highlighted that the announcement occurred during a summit in Moscow. Punch Newspapers focused on the delivery and the pending S‑400 systems. aljazeera.net reported the prime minister describing the deal as a historic achievement, and fakti.bg added his comment that the purchase would strengthen national security and enable pre‑emptive deterrence.
- None of the five digests included a cost estimate, technical specifications of the Su‑35s, or statements from opposition figures or foreign governments. They also omitted any detail about the delivery schedule beyond the claim of early receipt. The reports therefore focus solely on the prime minister’s announcement and the planned S‑400 acquisition.

### Centre

- Digi24’s full report highlighted the early delivery, Abiy Ahmed’s gratitude to Putin and the claim that the jets put Ethiopia ahead of other sub‑Saharan nations. It also noted the concurrent conflict in northern Ethiopia and described the event as a historic moment for the country’s defence. The WTVB digest echoed the same facts, delivery of twelve Su‑35 jets, future receipt of four S‑400 batteries and the link to the ongoing northern conflict, without adding additional commentary.

### Right

- The Straits Times digest focused on the delivery of the twelve jets and the pending S‑400 batteries, citing Abiy Ahmed’s statement about bolstering military capabilities. Times Live’s digest mentioned the Prime Minister’s thanks to Putin for the accelerated transfer. News‑Pravda’s digest repeated the delivery and the future S‑400 batteries. Vz.ru’s digest quoted Abiy Ahmed’s social‑media post confirming receipt of the jets and the agreement with Russia. Topwar.ru’s digest reported confirmation from Ethiopian sources that the Ministry of Defence received the jets, also noting the Prime Minister’s announcement.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 5
- high: 13
- unknown: 25
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [allAfrica](https://allafrica.com/stories/202610290101.html) — Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian SU-35 Fighter Jets, Plans to Acquire Four S-400 Air Defense Batteries
- [SOFX](https://sofx.com/ethiopia-unveils-russian-su-35-fighter-acquisition-as-first-jets-land-from-moscow) — Ethiopia Unveils Russian Su-35 Fighter Acquisition as First Jets Land From Moscow
- [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261029101500704) — A Year Ahead of Schedule… Russia Officially Delivers 12 Su-35s to Ethiopia
- [Caasimada Online](https://caasimada.net/itoobiya-oo-diyaaradaha-su-35-ka-heshay-ruushka-iyo-nidaamka-s-400-oo-ku-xiga) — Itoobiya Oo Diyaaradaha Su-35 Ka Heshay Ruushka, Iyo Nidaamka S-400 Oo Ku Xiga
- [Defence Security Asia](https://defencesecurityasia.com/ethiopia-su-35-rusia-s400-ketegangan-eritrea) — Ethiopia Receives Two Russian Su-35s, Plans S-400 As Tensions With Eritrea Rise
- [SINDOnews.com](https://international.sindonews.com/read/1765923/44/ethiopia-dipasok-12-jet-tempur-su-35-rusia-4-sistem-rudal-s-400-segera-menyusul-1793232603) — Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets, with 4 S-400 Missile Systems to Follow
- [1news.com.ua](https://1news.com.ua/svit/rosiya-posylyuye-vijskovi-postachannya-vynyshhuvachi-su-35-vzhe-na-shlyahu-do-efiopiyi-nezvazhayuchy-na-vijnu-v-ukrayini.html) — Russia Boosts Military Supplies: Su-35 Fighters Are Already on Their Way to Ethiopia, Despite the War in Ukraine
- [Ecopolitic](https://ecopolitic.ro/rusia-livreaza-etiopiei-primele-12-aeronave-de-lupta-de-generatia-a-patra-sukhoi-su-35) — Russia Delivers Ethiopia's First 12 Generation Sukhoi Sukhoi SU-35 Fighting Aircraft · Global Voices
- [atvbl.rs](https://atvbl.rs/vijesti/svijet/zasto-se-afrika-naoruzava-rusija-isporucila-etiopiji-prvu-grupu-borbenih-aviona-su-35/2364885) — Why Is Africa Arming Itself? Russia Delivers First Batch of Su-35 Fighter Jets to Ethiopia
- [fakti.bg](https://fakti.bg/world/1094945-moskva-vaorajava-etiopia-parvite-su-35-sa-dostaveni-ochakvat-se-i-s-400) — Moscow Arms Ethiopia: First Su-35s Delivered, S-400s Expected
- [Actualno.com](https://actualno.com/america/etiopija-se-pohvali-rusija-ni-izprati-iztrebiteli-su-35-news_2655994.html) — Ethiopia Boasts: Russia Sent Us Su-35 Fighter Jets
- [GEOPOLITIKI](https://geopolitiki.com/military/ethiopia-abiy-12-su-35-jets-s-400-russia-africa-summit) — Ethiopia says it has received 12 Russian Su-35 jets and will buy four S-400 batteries as fighting continues in the north
- [Business AM](https://businessam.be/rusland-levert-eerste-su-35-gevechtsvliegtuigen-aan-ethiopie) — Russia Delivers First Su-35 Fighter Jets to Ethiopia
- [tvcnews.tv](https://tvcnews.tv/ethiopia-receives-12-russian-su-35-fighter-jets-abiy-ahmed-announces-s-400-deal) — Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets, Abiy Ahmed Announces S-400 Deal
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/africa/ethiopia-receives-12-russian-su-35-fighter-jets-plans-to-acquire-s-400-air-defenses/4104231) — Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets, Plans to Acquire S-400 Air Defenses
- [twz.com](https://twz.com/air/ethiopia-gets-12-russian-su-35-fighters-eyes-s-400-air-defenses) — Ethiopia Gets 12 Russian Su-35 Fighters, Eyes S-400 Air Defenses
- [aljazeera.net](https://aljazeera.net/news/2026/10/28/%d8%a5%d8%ab%d9%8a%d9%88%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a7-%d8%aa%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%86-%d8%aa%d8%b3%d9%84%d9%85%d9%87%d8%a7-12-%d9%85%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%84%d8%a9-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%b7%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%b2) — Ethiopia Announces Receipt of 12 Sokhwe-35 Fighters From Russia.
- [La Tribune](https://air-cosmos.latribune.fr/article/defense/62750066732354/la-russie-livre-12-soukhoi-su-35-a-l-ethiopie) — Russia Delivers 12 Sukhoi Su-35 to Ethiopia
- [zona-militar.com](https://zona-militar.com/2026/10/28/rusia-entrego-los-primeros-cazas-su-35-a-etiopia-y-confirmo-la-transferencia-de-sistemas-antiaereos-de-largo-alcance-s-400) — Russia Delivered the First Su-35 Fighters to Ethiopia and Confirmed the Transfer of Long-Range Anti-Aircraft Systems S-400
- [Telegraf – Najnovije vesti](https://aero.telegraf.rs/vojna-avijacija/4422728-dvanaest-borbenih-aviona-suhoj-35-i-s-400-idu-u-afriku-rusija-prodala-paket-naoruzanja-etijopiji) — Twelve Sukhoi 35 and S-400 Fighter Jets Are Going to Africa: Russia Sold a Package of Weapons to Ethiopia
- [Al Jazeera](https://aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/28/ethiopia-receives-12-russian-su-35-jets-plans-s-400-acquisition) — Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 jets, plans S-400 acquisition
- [Defence24](https://defence24.pl/przemysl/kolejny-klient-na-su-35-etiopia-stawia-na-rosyjskie-mysliwce) — Another Customer for the Su-35: Ethiopia Chooses Russian Fighters
- [The Moscow Times](https://themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/28/ethiopia-receives-12-russian-su-35-fighter-jets-a94110) — Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets
- [Habertürk](https://haberturk.com/dunya/etiyopya-12-adet-su-35-i-teslim-aldi-3923261) — Ethiopia Receives 12 Su-35 Fighter Jets
- [Business Insider](https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/ethiopia-takes-delivery-of-12-su-35-russian-fighter-jets-ahead-of-schedule-as/s11q2s3) — Ethiopia takes delivery of 12 Su-35 Russian fighter jets ahead of schedule as regional tensions rise
- [fanamc.com](https://fanamc.com/archives/325535) — ጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር ዐቢይ አሕመድ (ዶ/ር) የመጀመሪያዎቹን 12 የሱ-35 4ኛ++ ትውልድ የጦር ጄቶች ርክክብን በተመለከተ ያነሷቸው ዋና ዋና ነጥቦች፡- Welcome to Fana Media Corporation S.C
- [Axadle | Wararka Africa](https://axadletimes.com/ax-eye-on-africa/ax-east-africa/ethiopia-says-acquired-12-russian-fighter-jets-eri.html5) — Ethiopia Says It Acquired 12 Russian Fighter Jets as Eritrea Tensions Rise – Axadle
- [OnAlert](https://onalert.gr/eksoplismoi/su-35-i-aithiopia-parelave-ta-prota-12-maxitika-aeroskafi-apo-ti-rosia/829564) — Su-35: Ethiopia Receives First 12 Fighter Jets From Russia
- [Punch Newspapers](https://punchng.com/ethiopia-receives-12-russian-fighter-jets) — Ethiopia receives 12 Russian fighter jets
- [Horn Diplomat](https://horndiplomat.com/ethiopia-receives-12-russian-su-35-fighter-jets-abiy-says) — Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets, Abiy Says
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/efiopiya-poluchila-12-rossiyskih-su-35-na-god-ranshe-sroka-i-zhdet-s-400) — Ethiopia Received 12 Russian Su-35 One Year Ahead of Schedule and Waits for the C-400
- [DefenceTurk](https://defenceturk.net/etiyopyaya-savas-ucagi-tedariki) — Supplying Fighter Jets to Ethiopia
- [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-28/ethiopia-takes-delivery-of-russia-fighter-jets-ahead-of-schedule) — Russia Delivers Su-35 Jets, S-400 Air Defense to Ethiopia Early, Abiy ...
- [Times Live](https://timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2026-10-28-ethiopia-receives-12-russian-su-35-jets-to-boost-defence) — Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 jets to boost defence
- [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/mapamond/rusia-a-livrat-etiopiei-12-avioane-su-35-cu-un-an-inainte-de-termen-tara-africana-va-primi-si-sisteme-antiaeriene-s-400-4012405) — Russia Delivered to Ethiopia 12 Su-35 Planes One Year Ahead of Schedule. African Country Will Also Receive S-400 Anti-Aircraft Systems
- [topwar.ru](https://topwar.ru/292512-su-35-s-jefiopskim-flagom-addis-abeba-poluchila-partiju-rossijskih-istrebitelej.html) — Su-35 with the Ethiopian Flag: Addis Ababa Received a Batch of Russian Fighters
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/ethiopia-says-it-has-taken-delivery-of-12-russian-su-35-fighter-jets) — Ethiopia says it has taken delivery of 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/10/28/ethiopia-says-it-has-taken-delivery-of-12-russian-su-35-fighter-jets) — Ethiopia says it has taken delivery of 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-says-it-has-taken-delivery-12-russian-su-35-fighter-jets-2026-10-28) — Ethiopia says it has taken delivery of 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets
- [Akşam](https://aksam.com.tr/dunya/ruslar-kimselere-satmiyordu-12-adet-su-35-savas-ucagi-yola-cikti/haber-1709957) — The Russians Did Not Sell to Anyone. 12 Su-35 Fighter Jets Are on the Way
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/10/28/2700850.html) — Ethiopian Prime Minister: In accordance with our prior agreement with the Russian government, we have today taken delivery of the first twelve Su-35 4++ Generation fighter jets
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/etiyopya-basbakani-abiy-ahmed-rusya-dan-12-su-35-20374455-haberi) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Announced the Delivery of 12 Su-35 Fighter Jets From Russia.
- [Defence Blog](https://defence-blog.com/ethiopia-receives-its-first-russian-made-su-35-fighter-jets) — Ethiopia receives its first Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets
- [Interfax.ru](https://interfax.ru/russia/1125494) — Rosoboronexport Handed over Su-35 Fighters to Ethiopia
- [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/10/28/1469034.html) — Ethiopia Received 12 Su-35 Fighters From Russia
- [anna-news.info](https://anna-news.info/efiopiya-poluchila-partiyu-istrebitelej-su-35) — Ethiopia Received a Shipment of Soo Fighters

## Questions

**How many Su‑35 jets did Ethiopia receive?**

Ethiopia took delivery of twelve Su‑35 fighter jets on 28 October 2026, a full year before the deadline set in the agreement with Russia.

**What did Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed say about the jets?**

Abiy Ahmed thanked President Vladimir Putin for speeding up the delivery, said the aircraft place Ethiopia ahead of other sub‑Saharan countries in military capability, and described the event as a historic moment for the nation’s defence.

**Will Ethiopia receive additional Russian weapons?**

The government announced that Ethiopia will later receive four batteries of the Russian S‑400 air‑defence system, expanding its air‑defence capacity alongside the newly delivered fighter jets.

**Is the delivery linked to any ongoing conflict?**

Yes, the delivery occurs while Ethiopia’s armed forces continue fighting rebel groups in the northern part of the country, following a declaration of a defensive war by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front in September.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/ethiopia-receives-first-12-russian-su-35-jets-thanks-putin-for-early-delivery. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Ethiopia receives first 12 Russian Su-35 jets, thanks Putin for early delivery", https://mediabias.news/conflict/ethiopia-receives-first-12-russian-su-35-jets-thanks-putin-for-early-delivery