Analysts from Frontelligence Insight have shared detailed and high-quality satellite photo of the Beriev Aircraft Company PJSC in Taganrog, russia, which suffered a drone attack a few days ago, overnight on March 9th.
The pictures indicate three hits onto industrial premises, including two landing on the main production workshop where an A-50 airborne early warning and control system could be serviced at that time.
Read more: Ukrainian Drones Attack russian Aircraft Factory, Known for A-50 Repairs and Be-200 Production
Researchers conclude that an A-50 was present prior to the attack and suspect it was under repairs inside the damaged building, closer to the eastern side where one of the hits landed. The archive photo below shows this very eastern side with the hangar doors. Deeper inside the facility, Be-200 aircraft in construction should be situated. As of 2023, information about two such aircraft in production was shared.
Next, pay attention to the roof of the building. It is made of corrugated metal sheets, meaning it is quite easily penetrated.
"If the drones managed to penetrate the roof, the payload in drones would be enough to cause damage to equipment, and aircraft inside. However, there are no visual indications of a significant fire inside the hangar, making it challenging to assess the extent of the damage," the analysts note.
Also, there is no possibility of the A-50 being in the second hangar because it's ceiling is too low to accommodate an A-50 with its protruding radar plate.
That leads to a conclusion that if the A-50 was still at Beriev aircraft plant, it is most certainly affected by the hit, although the assessment of damage is impossible at the moment. On a note from Defense Express, the Liutyi UAV, presumably used by Ukrainian forces in this attack, carries an estimated 75 kg of explosive payload.
An interesting detail about this incident is that the plant in particular and the whole city of Taganrog in general was under protection of long-range air defense systems. At least one battery of either S-300 or S-400 was present in the western part of the facility at the moment of strike. Situated mere 2.5 km from the said workshops, it could not repel the drones.
Read more: Fake Aircraft Paintings on russian Airfields Could be a List of Casualties
