The FighterBomber channel appears to confirm the A-50 AEW&C loss yesterday. Russian sources say that the Il-22 was damaged but managed to land.*****emaE8vZCm9*****X5HGbAHZzP pic.twitter.com/DCzYVVD557
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) January 15, 2024
A Russian channel suggests this is an A-50U (RF-50610), which was upgraded in 2019. Russia had 8 upgraded A-50U aircraft as of September and has been averaging upgrading one A-50 to the A-50U standard every two years.*****MELlB5wqeL*****zqswfOyNnq pic.twitter.com/8lnit6TIUx
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) January 15, 2024
The UK MoD previously assessed that Russia "likely started using A-50...to identify targets over Ukraine" for its S-400 air defense systems. A-50U aircraft will be an important factor in how Ukrainian F-16 perform against Russian fighters and air defenses.*****YHkh87bsoC
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) January 15, 2024