Ukraine claims to have shot down a Russian A-50 reconnaissance plane and an IL-22 airborne command post, delivering a potentially significant blow to the Kremlin’s forces in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi made the announcement on Monday, sharing a video of a tracking map that indicated the planes were hit over the Sea of Azov, east of the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. Zaluzhnyi expressed gratitude to the air force for their well-executed operation in the Azov region.
Shortly after Zaluzhnyi’s statement, a Russian military blog posted an image of the shrapnel-riddled tail section of an IL-22 on the tarmac, praising the crew as “real heroes.” Kyiv’s Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat confirmed the image, stating that the plane had reached the Russian town of Anapa but was beyond repair due to fire damage. Ignat also mentioned that the A-50 had been a priority target for Ukraine.
The A-50 is equivalent to NATO’s AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) plane and is equipped with a large radar that allows it to scan a wide area for enemy aircraft, ships, and missiles. The Russian Air Force is believed to have nine of these planes in its fleet. Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern military command, revealed that Russia extensively utilized the A-50 for preparing and conducting long-range missile strikes on Ukraine. She expressed hope that damaging the A-50 would at least delay powerful missile strikes.
The IL-22, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in overseeing military operations and communicating radio signals to troops on the front line. The Russian Air Force reportedly possesses a dozen IL-22 planes. When asked about the attacks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed to have no information and directed further inquiries to the Defense Ministry.
Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, Russia has maintained air dominance over the region. The A-50 and IL-22 are instrumental in coordinating Russian battlefield movements in Ukraine. Losing these aircraft would be a significant achievement for Kyiv and a major setback for Moscow, as the front line is largely characterized by trench and artillery warfare.
Russian military bloggers, many of whom have close ties to the army, have reported an incident over the Azov Sea. They describe the potential loss of an A-50 as a dark day for the Russian Aerospace Forces and Air Defense. The scarcity of A-50s and the specialized personnel operating them make the destruction of such an aircraft a severe blow, with little chance for the crew to escape.
Telegram channel WarGonzo acknowledged the destruction of the A-50 and expressed condolences to the crew’s families. However, it noted that the IL-22 was able to return to base, albeit with damages. In February 2023, a drone attack at an airfield in Belarus caused minor damage to a parked A-50, according to Russian and Belarusian officials.
The downing of the A-50 and IL-22 marks a significant development in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to successfully target and disrupt Russian military operations, potentially shifting the dynamics on the ground. The repercussions of this incident are likely to be felt in the ongoing struggle for control in Ukraine.
