Russians' Colossal Miscalculation: AFU Get New Opportunities After Destroying the A-50

What exactly are they?

On January 14, the AFU destroyed a Russian A-50 long-range radar reconnaissance aircraft. In addition, they damaged another one - IL-22.

This is a colossal success. After all, such aircraft have not been shot down so far in the course of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine and in general.

This was stated to "Channel 24" by Israeli military observer David Sharp.

The Russians Lost an Expensive Aircraft

Forbes journalists estimated the cost of the downed A-50. According to their data, the basic version costs 330 million dollars, and the modernised version - about 500. Accordingly, it is Russia's most expensive loss after the Moskva cruiser.

"This is a costly unit for Russia, if it is produced again. They (Russians - "Channel 24") are now trying to make A-100 - it is an analogue of A-50 and it is hundreds of thousands of millions. Now Russia will have to change the tactics of their use, that is, to use them at greater distances. This means that the coverage of these aircraft will deteriorate, and the Ukrainians will get new opportunities," Sharp noted.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin is blaming the Defence Ministry, which is not commenting on the situation with the A-50. And Russian propaganda, in turn, is blatantly alleging "friendly fire" by their air defence systems, which supposedly destroyed the aircraft.

"They believe that if it has been shot down by their own fire it is, let's say, more honourable than when it is shot down by the Ukrainians. That's kind of a strange approach. On the other hand - this expensive aircraft was based in the same place 24/7, was visible to their air defences. If it was shot down by their own - it's a colossal failure to shoulder it on themselves," said the military observer.

Some experts noted beforehand that the Russians cannot put up with the idea that Ukraine has the weapons to eliminate such targets. Therefore, they favour the legend of friendly fire.