According to Ukraine’s military chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian air force has successfully shot down a Russian Beriev A-50 early warning and control plane, as well as an IL-22 command center aircraft. This represents a significant setback for the Kremlin’s forces, as these planes play crucial roles in coordinating Russian military movements. The downing of these aircraft is a notable achievement for Ukraine in the ongoing two-year conflict, as the fighting along the front line has largely been characterized by trench warfare and artillery exchanges.
Although Zaluzhnyi did not disclose the method used to bring down these aircraft, it is worth noting that Ukraine has received advanced air defense systems from its Western allies.
The exact location of the interception was not specified by Zaluzhnyi, but he shared a video on his social media post that displayed an aircraft tracker, indicating the disappearance of two targets above the Azov Sea. This sea lies between Ukraine and Russia, north of the Crimea Peninsula and the Black Sea.
As of now, there has been no official comment from Moscow regarding this incident. Russian war bloggers have suggested that both planes may have been hit by friendly fire, although they have not presented any evidence to support this claim. They also asserted that the IL-22 sustained damage but managed to make a successful landing.
The A-50 aircraft is an early warning and control plane equipped with a large radar system capable of detecting air targets at distances of up to 650 kilometers (approximately 400 miles). It typically operates with a crew of 15, and the Russian air force reportedly possesses a fleet of nine such aircraft. It is worth noting that an A-50 had previously suffered damage in a drone attack at a Belarusian airfield in February 2023, but officials from Russia and Belarus had stated that the damage was minor.
The IL-22, on the other hand, serves as an airborne command post, tasked with overseeing military operations and relaying radio signals to troops on the front lines. The Russian air force is believed to operate a dozen IL-22 planes.
