The 2nd Russian military aircraft A-50 was shot down over the Sea of ​​Azov (added)

The Ukrainian Armed Forces claim that they shot down a Russian A-50 aircraft over the Sea of ​​Azov. Russian “military correspondents” write that the cause of the crash was “friendly fire.” Suspilnoye reports this, citing sources in the special services.

It is reported that the plane crashed in the Krasnodar region; after being shot down, it could have flown over the sea for some more time and crashed on land.

Russian publics, hostile to the command of the Russian Army, claim that the plane was shot down by the Russian air defense system. They also claimed that Russian air defenses shot down an A-50 over the Sea of ​​Azov in January.

Military bloggers Vladimir Romanov (Romanov Light) and Boris Rozhin (colonelcassad) also write about “friendly fire”. “With a very high degree of probability this is a friendly fire again. The problem with the interaction of aerospace forces aviation and air defense units is obviously systemic, which leads to a fairly frequent loss of human lives and expensive and difficult to replace material,” wrote Rozhin. By data Romanov, the launches were carried out from Mariupol.

Channel “Military Informant” writesthat the plane crashed near the village of Trudovaya Armenia in the Krasnodar Territory. “Despite the fact that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already taken responsibility for this, the location where the aircraft was hit leaves no other options other than friendly fire. Russian air defense literally destroys Russian aircraft in its rear over and over again“, the post says.

Information about the loss of the aircraft is also confirmed Telegram channel Fighterbomber, close to the Russian Ministry of Defense: “A-50 is lost. It is currently unknown who shot it down.” The post also notes that the plane crashed 256 kilometers from the front line. At the same time, in the power steering claimthat they recorded a “sharp drop in speed and altitude” plane near the city of Yeysk.

However, experts believe that he was shot down by the Patriot system, which was brought close to the front line. The range of their missiles allows them to reach the Azov Sea.

Judging by the map, the plane was shot down over the territory of the Krasnodar Territory near the coast of the Azov Sea. True, the Main Intelligence Directorate noted that the plane was shot down directly over the sea. If we take the point indicated on the map as the area where the aircraft was hit, then it is located 170 kilometers from the front line. If he was shot down over the Sea of ​​Azov near the coast, then in less than 160.

160 kilometers is the maximum known firing range of the Patriot air defense system. That is, theoretically, this system could really shoot down the plane. Moreover, if the Americans were able to increase the missile range beyond the officially declared one.

RBC-Ukraine, citing sources in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that according to the publication’s interlocutors, the plane was shot down as part of a joint operation of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Main Intelligence Directorate. “The chances of saving the aircraft are minimal,” one of the publication’s sources said.

Later information about the downed A-50 confirmed Commander of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Nikolai Oleshchuk. “Thanks to the Main Intelligence Directorate and everyone who ensured the result!” wrote Oleschuk.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on the situation. Operational headquarters of the Krasnodar region reportedthat “two aircraft” fell near the farm. Later, the operational headquarters clarified that in the region fell only one device.

Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down Russian A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft from the Soviet S-200 long-range air defense system. Ukrainian media reported this with reference to sources in the Main Intelligence Directorate.

According to them, Ukraine has modernized the S-200 missiles for long-range strikes. It was previously stated that the upgraded S-200 missiles are used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to attack ground targets.

On the evening of January 14, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were shot down over the Azov Sea another A-50 aircraft and damaged the Il-22M11 air command post. The next day, this information was confirmed by the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny.

The Russian Ministry of Defense did not confirm the loss of the aircraft. At the same time, the Fighterbomber telegram channel close to the department wrotethat the A-50 was shot down by Russian air defense systems. This version didn’t rule it out and telegram channel “Rybar”. In early February, the death of the A-50 commander confirmed journalists from Mediazona.

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