Ukrainian Forces Shoot Down Russian A-50 Reconnaissance Aircraft Worth $300 Million and Il-22 Airborne Command Post
The Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi confirmed that Ukrainian air defence had shot down two of the rarest and most valuable aircraft of the Russian air force the night before: an A-50 early warning radar aircraft and an IL-22 airborne command post.
"The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed the enemy's A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and the enemy's IL-22 airborne command post.
I thank the Air Force for the perfectly planned and executed operation in the Azov Sea! Glory to Ukraine!" Zaluzhnyi wrote.
He also posted a video showing the movement of Russian military aircraft.
Later, the Ukrainian Air Force informed about the downing of two Russian military aircraft.
"Minus an enemy A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and an enemy IL-22 air control centre! The special operation in the Azov Sea was successful. To be continued..." the statement reads.
Airborne radar aircraft, such as the downed Russian A-50, are essential for airspace surveillance, which includes identifying air targets and coordinating and controlling fighter jets.
In addition to airborne targets, such an aircraft can also track ground targets, such as radars. This aircraft also plays an important role in coordinating Russian missile strikes.
According to Western sources, Russia has fewer than 10 such aircraft. One such aircraft costs about $330 million. The A-50 entered service in 1984.
As a reminder, on 29 December, the Russian occupation army fired about 110 missiles at many cities in Ukraine, hitting a maternity hospital, educational institutions, a shopping centre, residential buildings, a commercial warehouse and a car park. The missile strike hit Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and other cities, resulting in many injuries and casualties.
Subsequently, on 1 January, New Year's Eve, Russia launched another massive attack on Ukraine with 90 Russian drones, also causing significant losses and destruction.
On the night of 2 January, the Russian side launched another series of missile attacks on Ukraine, particularly on Kyiv and Kharkiv. Again, massive casualties and destruction were caused. Poland deployed F-16 fighter jets in response to Russia's missile terror against Ukraine.