The loss of the A-50 reconnaissance and command and control aircraft, whose destruction occurred a day earlier over the Sea of Azov, according to the Ukrainian army on Monday, could prompt Russian forces to reconsider the way they use this type of equipment. The intelligence services of the British Ministry of Defense estimate that this should be reconsidered.
“On January 14, 2024, a Russian A-50 Mainstay aircraft, an airborne reconnaissance and control aircraft, almost certainly exploded and subsequently crashed in the western Sea of Azov. At the same time, a Russian Il-22M Coot-B aircraft was damaged but landed at a nearby Russian airfield,” they recall in their report daily update to the conflict.
“The fact that Ukraine managed to target an A-50 Mainstay is significant. It is likely that Russia will now be forced to reconsider the delimitation of the areas of operation of its aircraft. The A-50 is crucial to Russian air surveillance of the battlefield. The Russian Air Force has eight A-50s, which should enable it to deal with immediate operational consequences. However, the increased pressure on the remaining aircraft combined with the loss of crew is likely to limit the viability of the mission in the longer term,” the intelligence community added.