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On the evening of January 14, Ukrainian media, citing some deputies of the Verkhovna Rada, reported that Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft and IL-22 aircraft were shot down over the Sea of Azov.
It was pointed out that the IL-22 was a “bomber”, although there are no bombers with such a name in service with the Russian Aerospace forces today. The later reports claimed that the aircraft in question was the Il-22 M, an air control center.
Ukrainian propagandists denied their own reports. They published a recording of the alleged negotiations between the Il-22 with an airport in Anapa, confirming that the aircraft landed despite the damage.
Damage to IL-22, which landed in Anapa
Some Russian military sources confirmed the loss of an A-50, claiming that the Il-22M landed at the airfield in the Krasnodar region, some crew members were reportedly wounded. However, the Russian military officials are yet to comment on the reports.
Ukrainian reports differ. Some claim that the aircraft were shot down by US-made Patriot systems. However, apparently, Ukrainian air defense forces have nothing to do with the incident; the aircraft could be likely targeted by ‘friendly’ fire. If the loss of the A-50 aircraft is confirmed, it will be a huge loss for Russian aviation, since there are only a few such AWACS aircraft in service with the Russian military.
