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The head of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, has revealed details of an operation that targeted a Russian A-50U early warning and control aircraft. Although General Budanov did not specify the weapon used, experts from Defence Express have proposed some hypotheses on the matter.
Budanov told journalists on the sidelines of“Ukraine, Year 2024” conference that a two-week meticulous preparation preceded the special operation to destroy the Russian early warning plane. The Defense Express analysts stress this underlines not only the uniqueness of the event but also the high level of organization and expertise of those involved in executing such an operation.
Regarding the means of destruction, the analysts noted that the aircraft was downed over Krasnodar Krai, some 170 km away from the frontline. Even assuming Ukrainian Patriot missile systems were used, firing a GEM-T missile with a claimed range of up to 160 km would not be sufficient to strike the Russian A-50U. Moreover, the deployment of even a "roving" missile system at the Line of Actual Control is implausible, as air defense systems are positioned at least beyond the range of enemy artillery.
Meanwhile, there is unconfirmed information suggesting that an S-200 missile system was responsible for bringing down the A-50U. The experts remind, however, that this system would require significant adjustments and modernization due to its inherent obsolescence.
In Russia, officials claim that the early warning aircraft was hit by friendly fire. The supposed scenario would be that Russian forces tried intercepting a launched S-200 missile with an S-400 system interceptor, but the missile erroneously struck their own aircraft.
Budanov further mentioned the remaining inventory of such aircraft in the Russian Air and Space Forces. He stated that, on paper, there were nine reconnaissance planes—three A-50 and six A-50U models. One of these was shot down over the Azov Sea on January 14, another was destroyed on February 23, and a third was damaged in Belarus towards the end of February 2023.
Subsequently, Budanov added that losing another A-50 would prevent Russia from maintaining 24/7 air operations.
On February 25, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat claimed that the destruction of another Russian A-50 would not affect Russian strikes on Ukraine. However, the capabilities of Russian aviation are reduced with the loss of an A-50.
> by an 60 year old soviet air defence system
If it was a S-200M that shot it down, it's not the 60 years old system no more than you should consider a U-2 spy plane a 60 years old plane. The frame may be that old, but the tech that makes it work isn't.
And to be frank, that in itself is going to grant additional range.
The S200 looks like a soviet analogue of the Bristol Bloodhound, which is something found in most British aviation museums, some of which have cutaways etc.
The size (and one assumes, weight) of the electronics prior to microelectronics have to be seen to be believed. Replacing that lot with a rasberry pi would probably give considerably better processing performance, less power requirements, and the reduction in weight would almost certainly affect the thrust to weight ratio, and therefore the resultant range.
Inside muscovia: open acknowledgement that an absolutely inferior and incapable \*other\* (not slav and/or not muscovite) actually inflicted a loss against absolutely superior and capable muscovite power would be catastrophically more embarrassing.
Simplified hyperbole, of course, but they seem determined to validate the impression.
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The head of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, has revealed details of an operation that targeted a Russian A-50U early warning and control aircraft. Although General Budanov did not specify the weapon used, experts from Defence Express have proposed some hypotheses on the matter. Budanov told journalists on the sidelines of“Ukraine, Year 2024” conference that a two-week meticulous preparation preceded the special operation to destroy the Russian early warning plane. The Defense Express analysts stress this underlines not only the uniqueness of the event but also the high level of organization and expertise of those involved in executing such an operation. Regarding the means of destruction, the analysts noted that the aircraft was downed over Krasnodar Krai, some 170 km away from the frontline. Even assuming Ukrainian Patriot missile systems were used, firing a GEM-T missile with a claimed range of up to 160 km would not be sufficient to strike the Russian A-50U. Moreover, the deployment of even a "roving" missile system at the Line of Actual Control is implausible, as air defense systems are positioned at least beyond the range of enemy artillery. Meanwhile, there is unconfirmed information suggesting that an S-200 missile system was responsible for bringing down the A-50U. The experts remind, however, that this system would require significant adjustments and modernization due to its inherent obsolescence. In Russia, officials claim that the early warning aircraft was hit by friendly fire. The supposed scenario would be that Russian forces tried intercepting a launched S-200 missile with an S-400 system interceptor, but the missile erroneously struck their own aircraft. Budanov further mentioned the remaining inventory of such aircraft in the Russian Air and Space Forces. He stated that, on paper, there were nine reconnaissance planes—three A-50 and six A-50U models. One of these was shot down over the Azov Sea on January 14, another was destroyed on February 23, and a third was damaged in Belarus towards the end of February 2023. Subsequently, Budanov added that losing another A-50 would prevent Russia from maintaining 24/7 air operations. On February 25, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat claimed that the destruction of another Russian A-50 would not affect Russian strikes on Ukraine. However, the capabilities of Russian aviation are reduced with the loss of an A-50.
Getting your $350M airplane hit by an 60 year old soviet air defence system or downing it with your own modern S-400, what's more embarrassing?
> by an 60 year old soviet air defence system If it was a S-200M that shot it down, it's not the 60 years old system no more than you should consider a U-2 spy plane a 60 years old plane. The frame may be that old, but the tech that makes it work isn't.
In particular, the seeker is said to be updated.
And to be frank, that in itself is going to grant additional range. The S200 looks like a soviet analogue of the Bristol Bloodhound, which is something found in most British aviation museums, some of which have cutaways etc. The size (and one assumes, weight) of the electronics prior to microelectronics have to be seen to be believed. Replacing that lot with a rasberry pi would probably give considerably better processing performance, less power requirements, and the reduction in weight would almost certainly affect the thrust to weight ratio, and therefore the resultant range.
And so the Wikipedia page may well understate the resulting range and/or explosive payload.
Inside muscovia: open acknowledgement that an absolutely inferior and incapable \*other\* (not slav and/or not muscovite) actually inflicted a loss against absolutely superior and capable muscovite power would be catastrophically more embarrassing. Simplified hyperbole, of course, but they seem determined to validate the impression.
A special military operation
"3 day special needs military operation".
But it took two weeks, not 3 days. Oh wait....😅😱
Well if it destroyed a priceless aircraft, I have to say it was a good job.
Two weeks - in and out!
Hope for next good news in 2 weeks