--- title: "Another One Of Russia’s Prized A-50 Radar Planes Shot Down, Ukraine Claims" description: "Ukraine claimed today that Russia lost another [A-50 Mainstay]() airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft — which would be the second such loss of the conflict so far. Among the first rumors of the incident to circulate came from…" date: "2024-02-23" modified: "2024-02-23" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/another-one-of-russias-prized-a-50-radar-planes-shot-down-ukraine-claims" categories: - "A-50/A-100" - "Air" - "Air Forces" - "Around The Globe" - "Europe" - "Manned ISR" - "News & Features" - "Russia" - "Russian Air Force" - "Ukraine" tags: - "Ukraine" --- # Another One Of Russia’s Prized A-50 Radar Planes Shot Down, Ukraine Claims ![The Beriev A-50U 'Mainstay' airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft belonging to Russian Air Force in the air. 'U' designation stands for extended range and advanced digital radio systems. This aircraft was named after Sergey Atayants - Beriev's chief designer.]() *aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images* Ukraine claimed today that Russia lost another [A-50 Mainstay]() airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft — which would be the second such loss of the conflict so far. Among the first rumors of the incident to circulate came from Russian military bloggers, saying that the Mainstay was a victim of friendly fire over the Sea of Azov. Meanwhile, Ukrainian accounts suggested that the aircraft was shot down in a joint operation by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukrainian intelligence services. Subsequently, the Ukrainian Air Force and Ukrainian Defense Forces posted separately on X stating that an A-50 had been destroyed, the Air Force noting that this had occurred at around 7:00 P.M. local time, while the Defense Forces quoted the unit cost of the aircraft, said to be $330 million. https://twitter.com/KpsZSU/status/1761091710594039822 https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1761094598561050702?s=20 The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, or GUR, also says it was involved in the operation to bring down the A-50 and has released maps, seen below, showing the approximate location of the claimed shootdown. https://twitter.com/DI\_Ukraine/status/1761101634904453405 While these various claims are yet to be independently verified, videos have appeared on social media showing what is said to be the burning wreckage of the aircraft. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1761079783478145239 Some of those videos claim that the aircraft came down in the village of Trudovaya Armenia, in the Krasnodar region, in southern Russia, close to the Sea of Azov. https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1761083868075942379 https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1761114030284984498 Whether the A-50 fell to Russian or Ukrainian air defenses, videos purporting to show the A-50 releasing infrared countermeasures prior to it coming down certainly point to the likelihood of it having been engaged by some kind of surface-to-air missile. However, unless it was being fired upon by an infrared-guided missile, which is highly unlikely, the flares would have had no effect on the weapon targeting it. https://www.twitter.com/JimmySecUK/status/1761088029484007587?s=20 In the previous incident, on January 15, 2024, another A-50 was [reportedly shot down]() (and an [Il-22M radio-relay aircraft]() damaged) after being engaged by Ukrainian air defenses over the Sea of Azov, according to officials in Kyiv. After that loss, we expected to see these surveillance aircraft pushed farther back from Ukrainian territory, which would, in turn, degrade the quality of intelligence and command and control they provide. However, if this latest A-50 was shot down by Ukrainian fire, that would suggest that Russia may have done little to change its operational tactics. As of 2021, Russia was [estimated to have nine A-50s](), including a number of [improved A-50Us](), in active service. Another one of these aircraft [was damaged in a drone attack]() while on the ground at a base in Belarus last year, and its current status is unknown. The reported shootdown of the A-50 today comes amid a spate of Ukrainian claims that it has destroyed several other Russian aircraft recently. Just since February 17, the Ukrainian Air Force says that it has brought down five Su-34 Fullback and two Su-35 Flanker-E combat jets. *The War Zone* cannot independently verify these claims. This also [follows reports]() that Ukrainian forces are specifically using [Patriot surface-to-air missile systems]() provided by the United States and other foreign partners [to deny Russian aircraft access]() to key operating areas. Whatever the case, the loss of a second A-50 in the conflict — if confirmed — will be a significant blow to Russia. This is a developing story. Stay with *The War Zone* for updates. ***Update, February 24, 1:00 a.m. PST:*** The *Ivanovo News* website, a Russian media portal that covers the region in which the A-50 fleet is home-based, has [confirmed]() that a Mainstay crashed in the Krasnodar region. Citing military correspondents, the outlet says the A-50 came down in the Kanevsky district, around 85 miles from Ostrov. There have been Russian media reports stating that two aircraft crashed, at around 8:00 p.m. local time, on farmland at Trudovaya Armenia. However, this seems to be a misidentification of the wreckage, which actually consists of a single aircraft. https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1761120248130883610 According to *Ivanovo News*: *“Upon the arrival of fire departments, it was established that the aircraft and reeds were burning, the fire area was approximately 250 square meters. There is no threat to residential buildings, and there are no casualties among the village residents. The fire is currently being extinguished. 40 people and 14 pieces of equipment were involved. Law enforcement and special services are also onsite.”* Other reports in the Russian media suggest that 10 crew members were killed when the A-50 came down. Those personnel are said to have comprised five majors, three captains, an ensign, and a lieutenant. https://twitter.com/Euan\_MacDonald/status/1761372000314908719 At this stage, it remains very much a mystery how the A-50 may have been shot down. Based on the maps published by the GUR, the Mainstay was brought down outside the engagement range of the Patriot — around 120-140 miles behind the closest front lines. https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1761085424695390695 Some reports in the Ukrainian media suggest that the Soviet-era S-200 (SA-5 Gammon) long-range surface-to-air missile may have been used, although [the status of this system]() (in an air defense capacity, at least) remains unclear. https://twitter.com/TheDeadDistrict/status/1761231847176991051 *Contact the author: [thomas@thewarzone.com]()* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()