The downing of a Russian A-50 aircraft on February 25, 2024, a critical asset for radar reconnaissance, has been reported, marking a significant blow to Russia's military capabilities in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. According to Ignat, a military spokesperson, this loss does not necessarily mean a decrease in missile launches over Ukraine but does impair radar reconnaissance capabilities. Further commentary highlights the destruction of two Russian A-50U AEW&C aircraft, reducing Russia's fleet from nine to seven. This loss is deemed serious, considering Russia's limited number of these advanced aircraft, originally totaling 9 A-50M/U aircrafts, and the challenges in producing modern replacements like the A-50U or the A-100. The Chief of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence suggested that another loss could force Russia to cease round-the-clock duty of A-50 planes. In response, Russian forces are reportedly seeking alternatives, including the increased use of reconnaissance drones, with over 100 drone activities recorded in a 24-hour period, as stated by Natalia Humeniuk, head of the Joint Press Center of the Operational Command "South".
β οΈ The Russian Armed Forces are trying to replace the destroyed A-50 with reconnaissance drones. π Over the past 24 hours, more than 100 drones of this type have been recorded. https://t.co/2LGgsfA3XG
Russians are looking for alternatives to the downed A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and have increased the activity of reconnaissance drones, says Natalia Humeniuk, head of the Joint Press Center of the Operational Command "South". #RussiaUkraineWar
π Russia will be forced to stop round-the-clock duty of A-50 planes if another one is lost β Chief of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence https://t.co/L5UI5lnYmU
COMMENT RUSSIAN A-50U LOSSES, FEB 25 2024 How to solve the Russian AEW capacity? Two Russian A-50U AEW&C aircraft has recently been destroyed. Since Russia only had 9 A-50M/U aircrafts, now down to 7, it's a serious loss. Production of the modern A-50U or the replacement A-100 is⦠https://t.co/Hw60xoyaiv
"The capabilities of the Russian aviation are reduced by the fact that special equipment such as the A-50 and its crew are destroyed. But they are still able to plan further strikes on Ukrainian land. The more we destroy such planes, the further away aircraft dependant on their⦠https://t.co/NCkBJoMRGB
βοΈπ Shot down of the A-50 does not mean that the Russians will launch fewer missiles over Ukraine, but it reduces the capabilities of radar reconnaissance!, β Ignat https://t.co/XhpplniH9O