Minus $350 million: Ukrainian Armed Forces shoot down another Russian A-50 aircraft (video)
23 February 21:18
On Friday, 23 February, the Ukrainian Defence Forces shot down a Russian A-50 aircraft with the call sign Bayan. This was reported by with reference to the commander of the Air Force of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk.
“Bayan, where are you?” The A-50 with the call sign “Bayan” has arrived! “Happy Defender of the Fatherland Day!” You should celebrate at home, and in such a way that you don’t tear the accordion! I am grateful to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and everyone who ensured the result!”
– he wrote.
Russian propaganda outlets reported that “an unidentified aircraft crashed in Kaniv district in Krasnodar region, with reeds burning at the crash site”.
“Russian military commanders report that Russian air defence has been welcoming its aviation since 23 February and shot down a unique A-50 aircraft worth half a billion dollars”,
– journalist Denis Kazansky wrote.

The GUR noted that the downed A-50 is a new modernised Russian version of the aircraft.
“This is an airborne command post used by the aggressor state for long-range radar detection, control and guidance for strikes on Ukraine with missiles from strategic aviation. The downing of the A-50U is another serious blow to the potential and capabilities of terrorist Moscow,”
– ukrainian intelligence stressed.
According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, a sharp drop in speed and altitude of the downed aircraft was recorded near the city of Yeysk.
The cost of such a vessel, of which the aggressor state has only a few left, is $350 million.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi praised the work of the Ukrainian military.
“The A-50U is a result of the excellent work of the Air Force and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Destroying Russian aircraft and enemies is a great honour,”
– the Commander-in-Chief said in a post on social media.
For the first time, the Russians lost an A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft with the tail number RF-50601 “Red” in the skies over Ukraine in January this year. At that time, it was also reported that an Il-22M11 command and control aircraft was damaged.
Characteristics of the A-50 aircraft
The A-50 is a long-range radar detection and control aircraft based on the Il-76 military transport aircraft.
During the Soviet era, the industry managed to produce about 31 aircraft, and there are not many “live” aircraft left today, only about 12 in various variations: 9 are in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in the A-50 and A-50U variants (3 and 6 respectively), and the rest are in service with the Indian Armed Forces.
The aircraft is equipped with the Shmel radio system based on the Soviet Argon-50 airborne electronic computer.
The aircraft is operated by 10-11 operators: a commander, a senior guidance navigator, two guidance navigators, a senior escort operator, two escort operators, and flight engineers of the RTC, radar and communications systems. They are accompanied by 5 flight crew members.
The aircraft is capable of reconnaissance, air, ground and surface targets. The aircraft can detect ballistic missile plumes at a distance of up to 800 kilometres using optoelectronic on-board systems, and the radar can locate and track aircraft and cruise missiles at distances of up to 700 kilometres.