Azov Sea is now ‘cleaner’ of Russian aviation following downing of A-50 AWACS – Ukrainian Air Force
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Russian aviation has reduced its activity in the Azov Sea area after losing an A-50 plane in a Ukrainian Air Forces (UAF) strike, UAF spokesperson, Yuriy Ihnat, said on the Edyni Novyny telethon.
"The Sea of Azov has been ‘cleansed’ of Russian aviation,” Ihnat said. “Currently there are practically one or two planes patrolling. This is actually a consequence of what happened recently — the A-50 plane and Il-22 command-and-control aircraft being left inoperative."
Russia can send another A-50 to the Azov Sea at the same time, if necessary, because it possess several more planes of this type.
"There will be a solution - and those planes that are ready to perform tasks will fly from other airfields. Three A-50s were operating in the airspace not so long ago: two in the Azov area, and a third in the east. They operate jointly with Il-22 command-and-control aircraft, perhaps, because of certain forced measures,” Ihnat said.
“They have more A-50 planes in their possession, unfortunately, but not dozens of them, only a few. There may be up to five repaired and modernized A-50s.”
The Air Force has dreamed of destroying such a target since the beginning of a full-scale invasion, Ihnat said, adding that Russia has suffered a huge loss of material and in reputation, in his opinion.
"If five of them were combat-able, then it decreases number of Russia's air radars by 20%. This is a significant loss,” he said.
The Ukrainian Air Force destroyed a Russian A-50 AWACS plane and damaged an Il-22 aircraft on Jan. 14.
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