Russia’s A-50 aircraft unused for several days – Ukrainian Air Force

The intensity of the Russians' use of the A-50 reconnaissance aircraft has decreased.

Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesman of the Air Force of Ukraine's armed forces, stated this on the air of the national telethon "Yedyni Novyny."

"The intensity of use of A-50 aircraft has decreased. They are gone for several days. They did not make such a decision to send more and more planes. As they say, they have quite a few such special equipment in service… One, you know, was damaged in Belarus. I'm not sure about the repair process; perhaps they obtained parts from another vehicle and used them through donations. It's a widespread practice seen all around the world. Well, those two were destroyed – the enemy has already thought about whether it is worth taking risks further, using long-range radar detection aircraft," Ihnat said.

He added that the enemy draws conclusions and realizes the aircraft can be destroyed.

According to a previous report from Rubryka, the Russians are currently searching for substitutes for the downed A–50 long-range radar detection aircraft and have intensified their use of reconnaissance drones. Nataliia Humeniuk, who leads the joint press center for the Southern Operational Command, shared this information during an appearance on the Yedyni Novyny news program.

For reference:

On February 23, the Ukrainian military shot down a Russian A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft over the Sea of Azov.

Ukraine's intelligence noted that it was possible to shoot down a new modernized Russian version of the aircraft, namely the A-50U. Its value is 350 million dollars. "There are only a few units of such aircraft left in Russia," the intelligence said. Russia uses these air command posts, in particular, to target Ukraine with missile strikes from strategic aviation.

The A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft is designed to monitor targets in the air, on land, and at sea, as well as guide other aircraft to them. Such aircraft can determine the location of Ukrainian objects, such as air defense systems and aviation, and strike at them.

According to intelligence reports, the downed A-50 long-range radar detection plane had a crew of 10 Russians – all of them died. After the downing of the plane, five more such Russian aircraft were withdrawn from combat operations, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine notes.

It should be noted that on January 19, a Russian A–50 long-range radar detection aircraft was spotted in the Sea of Azov. Two days later, it was reported that the Russian plane's commander had passed away due to damage sustained by the Il–22 air command post over the same area.