There are ways to verify claims with WVR era:
-wreckage
- gun camera
- witnesses(explosion, crash etc)
- electronic prooF
Today in BVR with engagements happening without sight and no Explosions to see - what we have left is electronic
- radar and EW.. seeing a solid radar track disappear and not appear again
- watching the reaction of other aircraft
- missile telemetry
- Intel
On our end we saw the radar track try to beam but then vanished - after which the wingman ran back, then seemed to try and provide some cover or as if he is looking for something(wreckage, chutes?) - then apparently he ran back again calling bingo. Normally there is some communication between wingman and flight lead on this but I would guess since I have no info
@airomerix @Knuckles that either voluntary Or involuntary radio silence ensued.
Additionally, a few minutes after the track disappears the heli from Srinagar took off and was heading in the direction of the last track. That is clue number 2
The final has to do with the intel - primarily with two Su-30 pilots suddenly dying in a car accident near Srinagar even though thats miles away from their posting.