The Il-20 (NATO reporting name: Coot), a Cold War-era platform introduced in the 1960s, is reportedly attempting to locate strategic targets in western Ukraine.
The sighting was reported by several Telegram channels, including the monitoring group Belarus of the Brain (belamova).
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According to these sources, the russian Aerospace Forces' Il-20 is conducting reconnaissance of Ukrainian air defense radar systems in Ukraine’s western regions.
"This aircraft is scouting Ukrainian air defense systems in western Ukraine — a mission that ground-based assets cannot perform due to radar horizon limitations. Its presence may signal preparations for a missile strike and the search for viable targets in the area," the message states.
According to eRadar, the appearance of this aircraft over Belarus indicates a renewed russian focus on electronic surveillance in support of its military operations in Ukraine. The group reported that the Il-20’s radar signature was visible on public flight-tracking platforms during its flight on May 27.
The deployment of the Il-20 coincides with increased russian aerial reconnaissance activity along Ukraine’s northern and western borders, particularly near areas that have seen recent Ukrainian air defense activity and military deployments.
Analysts believe the mission is likely aimed at detecting radar emissions and electronic signatures from Western-supplied air defense systems.
Previously, the russian military relied on more modern A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft for such missions. However, following the loss of an A-50 in Belarus, russia appears to be avoiding further risk to these platforms, turning instead to the aging Il-20.
The Il-20 is a Soviet-era reconnaissance aircraft developed in 1968 on the basis of the Il-18 passenger airliner. It is outfitted with a range of surveillance systems, including side-looking radar, aerial photography equipment, SIGINT stations, and electronic interception tools. Today, it is primarily used by the russian Aerospace Forces for battlefield surveillance and electronic intelligence gathering.
One Il-20 was shot down in Syria in 2018. In 2023, during the Wagner Group’s mutiny and march toward Moscow, Wagner forces reportedly downed another Il-20. In 2024, NATO fighter jets intercepted one conducting reconnaissance over the Baltic Sea.
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