"Serious blow"

Ukraine: Russian reconnaissance jet shot down

A Russian A-50U early warning aircraft (symbolic image)(Bild: Screenshot/Wikipedia)

According to Ukrainian forces, they have hit a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Sea of Azov. "The A-50 with the call sign Bayan has completed its last flight," wrote Ukrainian air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Friday. Ukrainian military intelligence published a map showing the suspected crash site in southern Russia.

"Another valuable Russian A-50U aircraft was shot down over the Sea of Azov," the intelligence service said. The downing was "another serious blow to the potential and capabilities of terrorist Moscow."

Russia only has a few examples of the reconnaissance aircraft
The A-50 model is a Russian reconnaissance aircraft that is similar to the Awacs used by NATO. According to military experts, the Kremlin only has around half a dozen operational aircraft of this type.

In mid-January, the Ukrainian military said it had already shot down one of the few A-50s and another Ilyushin Il-22 reconnaissance aircraft over the Sea of Azov.

Several shootings reported
Since last Saturday, the Ukrainian air defense system has reportedly shot down five Sukhoi Su-34 and two Su-35 fighter jets in addition to the reconnaissance aircraft.

The information could not initially be independently verified. Videos on online services showed several flashes of light in a dark night sky and a fire in an apparently rural region. The authorities in Krasnodar in south-western Russia announced that the fire department was fighting a fire "of around 250 square meters" and that no houses were in danger. According to the report, "two airplanes" were involved in the incident - the authorities did not provide any further details.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Friday that a Patriot air defence system had allegedly been destroyed near the front line. US-made Patriot anti-aircraft systems can engage air targets at a distance of up to 160 kilometers.

Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for almost two years. Kiev has received modern air defense systems from Western allies. The Ukrainian air force will also receive several dozen F-16 fighter jets in the near future.