On January 14, 2024, a russian A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, almost certainly exploded and subsequently crashed into the western Sea of Azov. Concurrently, a russian Il-22M aircraft was reported damaged but landed in a nearby russian airfield. As of January 15, 2024, Ukrainian Commander in Chief, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, claimed responsibility for the loss of the A-50 and damage to the Il-22M aircraft.
The possible successful targeting of an A-50 aircraft by Ukraine is significant. It is likely that russia will now be forced to reconsider limiting the operational areas of its aircraft. The A-50 is critical to the russian air surveillance picture over the battlespace.
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The russian Air Force possesses eight A-50 airframes which can likely cover the immediate operational impact. However, the increased stress on the remaining airframes coupled with the loss of the crew will likely constrain longer term mission sustainability.
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