Ukraine Downs 2 Russian Aircraft in Major Blow to Moscow

On Monday, Ukraine’s military chief announced a significant development in their ongoing conflict with Russia: the Ukrainian air force successfully downed a Russian Beriev A-50 early warning and control aircraft, along with an Il-22 command center plane. These aircraft are crucial for coordinating Russian military operations in Ukraine, and their loss marks a major achievement for Ukrainian forces amidst a war characterized by trench and artillery battles.

General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, did not specify the methods used to down the aircraft. However, Ukraine has recently acquired advanced air defense systems from Western allies. The exact location of the downing was also not disclosed, although Zaluzhnyi shared a video on social media showing two targets vanishing over the Azov Sea.

Moscow has not officially commented on the incident. Russian war bloggers suggest that the aircraft might have been hit by friendly fire, claiming the Il-22 was damaged but managed to land safely.

The A-50, capable of detecting air targets up to 650 kilometers away, is a vital asset for the Russian air force, which operates a fleet of about nine such planes. An A-50 was previously damaged in a drone attack at a Belarusian airfield in February 2023, though officials reported minor damage.

The Il-22 serves as an airborne command center, facilitating military operations and communications with frontline troops. The Russian air force is believed to have a dozen of these aircraft.

Ukraine’s ability to utilize the sophisticated weaponry provided by Western allies is a point of pride and strategic importance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, demonstrating Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to engage international support, was scheduled to meet the Swiss President in Bern and attend the World Economic Forum in Davos.

As the conflict continues, Ukrainian officials are working to maintain global attention on the war, amidst concerns about its decreasing prominence in international priorities. Concurrently, the United Nations has requested $4.2 billion to support people affected by the war, both inside Ukraine and those displaced abroad.

Russia, in the meantime, is seeking to strengthen its ties with North Korea, whose foreign minister began a visit to Moscow. Facing dwindling weapon supplies, Russia has recently sought assistance from Iran and North Korea. The U.S. and its allies allege that Pyongyang has provided various missiles to Russia, in addition to reported shipments of ammunition and shells.

Ukraine is also preparing for a prolonged conflict by significantly boosting its domestic military manufacturing. The U.S. think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, believes Ukraine can compensate for any potential shortfall in Western weaponry, given its industrial capabilities, educated workforce, and significant arms industry heritage from the Soviet era.