Russia could limit operations of the $330m early warning plane after one ‘exploded’

Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian “early warning and control aircraft” shortly after it took off over the Sea of Azov on Sunday.

The A-50 radar early warning plane was shot down in the Kyrylivka area of Zaporizhzhia in southern region of Ukraine which has a crew of around 15 people and costs about $330 million.

According to British intelligence Moscow may now consider limiting the operational areas of the A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft, as Ukraine blowing up the A-50 aircraft was “significant.”

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The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in their intelligence report on Wednesday, “On January 14, 2024, a Russian A-5 MAINSTAY, and Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, almost certainly exploded and subsequently crashed into the western Sea of Azov.

“Concurrently, a Russian IL-22M COOT B aircraft was reported damaged but landed in a nearby Russian airfield.”

The MoD report added, “The A-50 is critical to the Russian air surveillance picture over the battle space.”

The Russian Air Force has eight A-50 aircraft, which can probably recover from the consequences of the loss of the plane, “however the increased stress on the remaining airframes coupled with the loss of the crew will likely constrain longer term mission sustainability.”

Also a Russian Ilyushin Il-22 airborne command post was also damaged the Kyiv Post reported which made an emergency landing on the Russian side of the location.

Sources in Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Post that both aircraft were hit, they said, “we confirm the fact,” then added, “We do not comment on the means used.”

On Monday Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny said, “soldiers of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” destroyed the aircraft, in what would have been a very bad day form Kremlin officials.

He added, “Thanks to the Air Force for the excellently planned and conducted operation in Azov region! Glory to Ukraine!”

Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews, said the aircraft losses should “seriously complicate Russian aircraft operations close to the battlefield.”

He said on X, “And if these were shot down by Patriots over the Sea of Azov, would have meant that they would have been brought very close to the front lines. Quite an operation.”