Incredibly, the Russian air force has lost another one of its rare Beriev A-50U/M Mainstay radar early-warning planes. Reportedly to Ukrainian action.

Incredibly, the Russian air force has lost another one of its rare Beriev A-50M/U Mainstay radar early-warning planes. Video that circulated online on Friday reportedly depicts the A-50’s burning wreckage in Krasnodar Krai, in Russia just east of the Sea of Azov.

The location of the crash, at least 120 miles from the front line in southern Ukraine, could indicate the four-engine, 15-person radar plane either suffered a mechanical failure—or took a hit while operating closer to the front and tried to make it back to its base in Krasnodar before exploding.

For what it’s worth, the Ukrainian air force claimed it shot down the A-50 with assistance from the intelligence directorate in Kyiv.

Either way, it’s a devastating blow for the battered Russian air force. The air arm has lost, mostly to Ukrainian long-range surface-to-air missiles—American-made Patriot PAC-2s, in particular—nine of its best planes in just a month. Including an A-50 that the Ukrainians hit over the Sea of Azov in January.

  • Flumpkin@slrpnk.netEnglish
    121·
    4 months ago

    For what it’s worth, the Ukrainian air force claimed it shot down the A-50 with assistance from the intelligence directorate in Kyiv.

    So with assistance of the US / Nato intelligence services.

    Either way, it’s a devastating blow for the battered Russian air force. The air arm has lost, mostly to Ukrainian long-range surface-to-air missiles—American-made Patriot PAC-2s, in particular

    So US missiles.

    • grozzle@lemm.eeEnglish
      16·
      4 months ago

      This one probably was a Ukrainian (pre-war stock) S-200 SAM - it was wayyy beyond Patriot range this time.

    • mellowheat@suppo.fiEnglish
      92·
      4 months ago

      If what you’re saying is true, I think it’s pretty refreshing that US military and intelligence services are doing something good for a change.