Ukrainian forces say they shot down a Russian A-50 radar plane. The second of its kind since the beginning of the year. Moscow continues to bomb Odessa
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Today, February 24, marks two years since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The fighting continues unabated and claims victims every day. The attacks are directed against strategic targets, but also against combat vehicles. The last recorded attack was the shooting down of a Russian A-50 “Awacs” by Ukrainian forces. The plane would have been intercepted over the Krasnodar region of Russia, about two hundred kilometers from the front line.
Ukrainian media denied earlier claims about the use of the US-made Sam “Patriot”, saying, citing the Main Intelligence Directorate, that **the obsolete Sam S-200 was used to shoot down the aircraft, known as Sa-5, in the ham NATO. This system appeared in the USSR in the 1960s, but has been modernized several times since then.
Ukrainian Air Force chief Mykola Oleshchuk thanked his services and military intelligence for their contribution to downing the plane. “Congratulations to the occupiers on Defender of the Fatherland Day“, he wrote on Telegram, recalling that the attack on the Russian Air Force took place on an important holiday for Moscow.
The A-50 is a reconnaissance and control aircraft, a huge flying radar. By the end of January, Kiev had already shot down another A-50 over the Sea of Azov, along with an II-22 bomber.
New Russian attack on Odessa
Meanwhile, Russia continues to carry out numerous air strikes against Ukrainian cities. Odessa was targeted for the second time on the same day: An AES drone attack was reported late Friday evening, following an earlier attack that claimed three victims. A woman was killed under the rubble of her home. The Russian Defense Ministry later reported that it had “thwarted” an attack by Ukrainian drones in the Kursk and Tula regions, south of Moscow.
An explosion followed by a major fire was reported at the metallurgical plant in the city of Lipetsk.
To counter Russian “attempts,” Kiev plans to use U.S.-made F-16 jets. Ukrainian pilots are already completing training and flight courses in Denmark: Copenhagen has promised to deliver its F-16s to Ukraine this year.