Beriev A-50 Mainstay - Combat
Russian A-50 radar detection rise into the air during missile strikes and record air defense launches, which helps to bypass anti-aircraft weapons. The Russian Federation had nine A-50 aircraft in service and four modernized versions — A-50U. The A-50 MAINSTAY is a key enabler for Russian operations over Ukraine providing airborne early warning of threats as well as command and control functionality.
Since the end of 2015, the A-50 has been used by Russia and is part of the Russian Aerospace Forces Aviation Group in Syria and is used for the purposes of the Syrian military operation. The A-50U Taganrog returned from Syria to the Ivanovo-Severny airfield in December 2017. One aircraft was transferred to Khmeimim airbase in February 2018. The A-50EI was used by India during the border conflict with Pakistan in 2019.
Loss - 26 February 2023
Two explosions rang out at the Belarusian airfield in Machulyshchy 26 February 2023, and Russian military aircraft DRLO A-50 was damaged. Belarusian partisans staged the sabotage. This was announced by the head of the BYPOL initiative Oleksandr Azarov. The two explosions damaged the front and center parts of the aircraft, damaged the avionics and the radar antenna. "The damage is serious, the plane will definitely not fly anywhere," said BYPOL. The explosions occurred when the snow removal equipment was working near the plane, it was also damaged.
The head of BYPOL, Oleksandr Azarov, confirmed to Nasha Niva that Belarusian partisans were involved in the sabotage at the airfield in Machulyshchy. "These were drones. The participants of the operation are Belarusians, participants of the "Victory" plan, now they are safe outside the country. Everyone has left, let them now look for the wind in the field," he said.
According to ByPol, the participants of the "Victory" plan used two DJI drones, which were manually converted into kamikaze drones. Each drone carried an explosive substance — 200 grams of TNT equivalent. They used metal balls, about 200 each.
Svaboda spoke on the condition of anonymity with a Belarusian contractor of the USU, who was undergoing sabotage training, including the use of drones, on the basis of one of the special units. "200 grams of TNT is a classic, textbook charge. If you want, for example, to tear a car. Those who served in reconnaissance or landing forces know what a standard Soviet 200-gram TNT shell does to a tree when you install or clear forest debris. Four grams of TNT placed on the surface of the body can kill a person. If you blow up 200 grams of TNT on the carbon plastic casing of the plane's antenna, I can imagine that it would simply be gone, it would be blown to pieces. Not even taking into account the effect of damaging elements. Given the declared power of the explosion, hardly anyone would risk taking off after that. Any crack or hole in the lining during flight can lead to a disaster," the specialist believes.
Franak Viacorka, an adviser to Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, applauded the attack on Twitter as "the most successful diversion" since the start of 2022. "Glory to Belarusian partisans," he tweeted. "I am proud of all Belarusians who continue to resist the Russian hybrid occupation of Belarus & fight for the freedom of Ukraine," Tsikhanouskaya wrote on Twitter.
As "Belarusian Gayun" writes, the registration number of the damaged plane is RF-50 608 (board number "43 red", factory number 93 479 377, serial number 60-05). This aircraft arrived in Belarus on January 3, 2023 and has currently been in Belarus for 54 days, making 12 flights. Before this, the previous time, the plane arrived in Belarus on February 24, 2022.
Although the damage was not officially confirmed, British intelligence noted that the loss of the A-50 would be significant for the Russian Federation, as the aircraft is crucial to Russian air operations in creating a picture of the airspace. Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka said 07 March 2023 a Ukrainian-Russian national and associates have been arrested for organizing a drone attack on a Russian military cargo plane at an airbase near Minsk in late February. Lukashenka said the men acted "under command of Ukraine's Security Service and the CIA." He gave no evidence to back up his claim. It was Lukashenka's first comment on the incident at the Machulishchy base. Minsk had previously denied media reports about the attack.
During the presentation of state awards, Alexander Lukashenko for the first time commented on the incident with the Russian plane in Machulyshchye, which became known on February 26, 2023. According to Lukashenka's press service, he said that in Belarus they allegedly detained a "terrorist of the Ukrainian special services and his associates" responsible for the incident.
According to Lukashenka, preparations for the "terrorist attack" began "either six months or eight months ago." Lukashenka said "The Security Service of Ukraine, the leadership of the CIA (US special service), either from the side or behind the back, are developing an operation against the Republic of Belarus. A terrorist was prepared. He is Russian, with a Russian passport, he has a Ukrainian passport. Born in Kryvyi Rih, lived in Crimea. Some relatives in Austria, some remained in Kyiv. He was recruited by the special service of Ukraine in 2014. A native or well-versed in IT technologies. He was preparing to commit terrorist acts."
After a week of silence, Lukashenko admitted the fact of sabotage and spoke about the nature of the damage to the Russian plane: "This terrorist attack was prepared. You know the results. Fortunately, the plane did not suffer any significant damage, except, as they say, scratches and one hole in the body, which does not prevent a military plane from performing its duties. We were showing you this plane. As I was told, he even met the president when I was returning from Beijing. Nevertheless, we asked the Russians to take this plane in for maintenance and send us another one. That's what happened."
Loss - 14 January 2024
On January 15, sources in the Defense Forces informed Suspilno about the downing of the A-50 military aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the destruction of the Il-22M11 air command post. In the evening of January 14, Il-22 was on duty in the Strilkovo district of the Kherson region, where it was shot down. After the damage, the plane planned to land in Anapa, requested an evacuation and called an ambulance and firefighters. The commander of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Mykola Oleschuk said that the occupiers were punished for shelling the Dnipro on January 14, hinting at the destruction of the A-50 over the Sea of Azov.
The Russian occupiers published on the network a photo of the Il-22M air command post, which was probably damaged on January 14, which after the damage planned to land in Anapa and called for evacuation, ambulance and firemen.
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced this on its Telegram channel. "Minus the enemy A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and the Il-22 air control center of the enemy! The special operation in the Azov region was successful. There will be more," the message reads.
"It seems that Il-22 did make it to Anapa. A living bastard. But, as you can see, the trough is "not subject to restoration". Therefore, no matter what, the target is destroyed, resuscitation will not help! The plane was on fire, there are wounded among the crew, I hope 200 those," he emphasized. Ignat added that the Russian A-50 aircraft was and remains a priority target for the Air Force. "Until today, the destruction of this board seemed like an overwhelming task for the Air Force. And here, the Il-22 (air command post) was also given away," he wrote.
On 14 January 24, a Russian A-50 MAINSTAY almost certainly exploded and subsequently crashed into the Sea of Azov. Yuriy Ignat , the spokesman of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said that the destruction of the Russian A-50 aircraft is "a very good sign for us and for the West." The colonel announced this on the air of the "Edyny Novyni" telethon.
"Apparently, for the first time in history, an aircraft of this class, a long-range radar detection aircraft, together with the command post, were destroyed in a flash. The enemy lost a serious aircraft," Ignat said. At the same time, the spokesperson of the PS noted that the downing of the A-50 and Il-22 is unlikely to seriously affect the occupiers' ability to fire at the territory of Ukraine.
"Another aircraft will fly in and provide. Will it affect any possible strikes. Well, to some extent. But Russian missiles and drones, they don't really need an aircraft for long-range radar detection - Ed .)," said the colonel. Ignat explained that both drones and missiles are programmed by the Russians on the ground and they fly according to specified routes and specified targets. "The DRLV aircraft can only detect missile launches of our air defense and thus provide information to its command posts," added the spokesperson of the Air Force.
On 17 January 2024, the Russian Air Force appears to have begun operating another A-50 MAINSTAY, but this time over land within Russian territory near the Krasnodar region, farther eastwards from Ukraine. This activity is highly likely indicative of a reduced risk appetite for the airframes and an attempt to preserve remaining A-50 MAINSTAY at a loss to its overall effectiveness over Ukraine.
Despite no official position from Russia on the loss of the MAINSTAY, this activity likely demonstrates a tacit Russian acknowledgement of a successful targeting operation by the Ukrainians against a high value air asset. If the loss of the MAINSTAY was an accident, then such a decision is unlikely to have been required.
Loss - 23 February 2024
February 23 is Defender of the Fatherland Day. On February 23, 1918, Red Army units won their first victories near Pskov and Narva over German troops. In Russia it is difficult to find a family where there were not heroes who shed blood on the battlefields. Military power was and is an integral feature of the Russian state, and the military profession is respected and honorable. Defender of the Fatherland Day, an official holiday in modern Russia, has a rather long history. The newly formed Soviet Russia was surrounded by enemies. The Soviet government began the organization of new public holidays, which could become an important tool in the formation of new values and ideas of citizens, was no exception. Following this policy, February 23 was chosen by Soviet leaders in 1919 as the date that became official Red Army Day. And for over a hundred years Russians have been celebrating on this day a holiday dedicated to the defenders of our Motherland. It was on this day that it was customary to honor the defenders of our Motherland, as well as to congratulate the younger generation of men who in the future were to join the ranks of the armed forces. That is why February 23rd is often called “men’s day”.
On February 23, sources in the special services told Sospil that the Ukrainian military shot down a Russian A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft over the Sea of Azov. For his part, the commander of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Mykola Oleschuk, expressed his gratitude to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and "all those who ensured the result." "The A-50 with the call sign "Bayan" has flown in! I congratulate the occupiers with "Happy Fatherland Defender's Day". It is necessary to celebrate at home, and in such a way that the "Bayan" does not break," the lieutenant general said on the Telegram channel, adding a video.
DIU spokesperson Andrii Yusov: "We can confirm the downing of such an important target, and on such a significant date for the enemy. That makes it all the better. Joint operations of Ukrainian defence forces will continue."
The Military Directorate of the Ministry of Defense informed that as a result of a joint operation with the Air Force, the A-50U, which is a new modernized version of the aircraft, was destroyed. "This is an air command post that the aggressor state used for long-range radar detection, control and guidance for strikes on Ukraine with missiles from strategic aviation," the agency said.
The intelligence officers emphasized that the downing of the A-50U is "another serious blow to the potential and capabilities of terrorist Moscow." "A sharp drop in the speed and altitude of the downed A-50U aircraft was recorded near the city of Yeisk. The value of such aircraft, of which there are only a few units left in Russia, is 350 million dollars," the State Administration of Ukraine said.
The Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate published an alleged tracking map of the Russian Aerospace Forces A-50 shot down and the location of its crash. The aircraft’s patrol route ran between the Yasenskaya Spit in the Krasnodar Territory and the southeastern outskirts of Rostov-on-Don, Rostov region. Naturally, one cannot completely trust the information published by such a structure as the Main Intelligence Directorate, but taking them into account, it is noticeable that the plane was shot down precisely over the territory of the Krasnodar Territory.
Russian observers stated the A-50 could not be shot down by the American MIM-140 Patriot air defense system. The crash site is located at a distance of 210-250 km from the contact line, depending on the direction: Yuzhno-Donetsk or Zaporozhye. This is provided that the Patriot will be located almost directly on the front line, which carries enormous risks for the air defense system and its crew. In reality, it’s worth adding at least another “ten”, or even more than one. At the same time, the most advanced anti-aircraft missiles of the MIM-140 Patriot air defense system are capable of hitting targets at a maximum range of 160 kilometers in ideal conditions.
Footage of the defeat of another A-50 of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which fell near the village of Trudovaya Armenia in the Kanevsky district of the Krasnodar Territory shows how the plane is desperately trying to avoid the attacks and shoots off heat decoys ["traps", which wod have beeen ineffetive against an anti-radiation missile], but anti-aircraft missiles still overtook it. Despite the fact that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already taken responsibility for this, some Russian observers feared 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. It can be stated that interaction has completely failed, management has collapsed, and the “friend or foe” system does not exist as a phenomenon.
The S-200C Vega SAM has a striking range of 250 km. Reportedly, the A-50 aircraft was downed from a long-range anti-aircraft system S-200 [NATO = SA-5]. The production of S-200 anti-aircraft systems was opened in the Soviet Union 60 years ago. Later the system was modernised several times. In July 2023 the Russians started reporting strikes on facilities in Russia and in the occupied Ukrainian territories with missiles launched with S-200 systems. According to the Russians, Ukrainians have modernised these air defence systems to launch attacks on ground targets with 5B28 missiles. Ihor Romanenko, former deputy head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine responsible for air defence, revealed that Ukrainian soldiers were trained to strike ground targets with S-200 systems. UK intelligence confirmed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine use S-200 as a ground attack ballistic missile.
The S-200 missiles are guided by a semi-active radar homing seeker head, which would have to be modified in order for this anti-aircraft missile to reliably seek radar-aircraft targets such as the A-50, but it is definitely possible. An anti-radiation missile (ARM) is a missile designed to detect and home in on an enemy radio emission source. Typically, these are designed for use against an enemy radar, although jammers and even radios used for communications can also be targeted in this manner. The S-200 was initially design to use radar illumination mid-course correction to fly towards the target with a terminal semi-active radar homing phase.
Wreckage of the tail section of the downed A-50U of the Russian Aerospace Forces was discovered by a local resident near the Krasnodar village of Borets Truda (adjacent to Trudovaya Armenia). The Kuban operational headquarters reports the crash of two aircraft at about 20:00 in the vicinity of the Trudovaya Armenia farm. Upon arrival of fire departments, it was established that the aircraft and reeds were on fire, the fire area was approximately 250 square meters. There is no threat to residential buildings, and there are no casualties among the village residents. What kind of second aircraft appears in the message is currently unknown.
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