On the evening of January 14, Ukrainian military forces shot down a Russian A-50 aircraft and shot down an IL-22M aircraft over the waters of the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian MP Yuriy Mysyagin reported on his Telegram channel.
According to him, at around 9:00 p.m., Ukrainian units opened fire on two Russian Air Force aircraft — an A-50 AWACS aircraft and an IL-22 bomber — that were over the Sea of Azov. The A-50 was shot down, and the IL-22 was hit, but it remained in the air and tried to reach the nearest airfield, but disappeared from radar while attempting to climb near Kerch.
The A-50 is a long-range radar-detection aircraft designed to monitor targets in the air, on the ground, and at sea and guide other aircraft to them. These aircraft are intended to identify the locations of Ukrainian air defense systems and transmit information for strikes against them.
The A-50's characteristics include a patrol altitude of up to 10 km, a flight range of 5,000 km, the ability to escort up to 60 targets simultaneously, guidance on 12 fighters, and assistance in determining the location of Ukrainian targets, such as air defense systems and aircraft, for strikes against them.
It is noted that the Russian armed forces currently have three A-50s and six A-50Us, and the cost of each unit is $330 million.
