Additional Coverage:
- Ukraine’s use of a Patriot missile system to down Russia’s prized A-50 spy plane was ‘historic,’ said a US air defense officer (newsbreak.com)
Earlier this year, Ukraine successfully deployed a Patriot missile to intercept and destroy a valuable Russian A-50 reconnaissance aircraft. The A-50, renowned for its pivotal role in providing Russia with early warnings, command, and control capabilities for air operations, was a significant loss for Russian forces.
Colonel Rosanna Clemente, a senior US Army officer, revealed during a presentation at the Fires Symposium last month the strategic employment of the Patriot missile system by Ukraine to shoot down the Russian spy plane in January. Colonel Clemente, serving as the assistant chief of staff of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, highlighted that the Patriot systems, some of which were supplied by Germany, played a key role in protecting Ukraine’s vital infrastructure and engaging in innovative tactics against Russian assets. Notably, she coined the term ‘SAMbush’ to describe the surprise surface-to-air missile attacks conducted by Ukrainian forces.
Clemente noted the remarkable mobility of the Patriot systems and their effective use in targeting the A-50, underlining a notable achievement in Ukrainian anti-air strategies. Additionally, on the same day the A-50 was downed, Ukraine also reported the destruction of an Ilyushin Il-22, an airborne command post.
The downed A-50, manufactured by Beriev, is an advanced spy plane equipped with capabilities to detect incoming missiles and identify targets on the ground. It also serves as a mobile command center, directing air strikes and other military operations over extensive ranges. British intelligence has acknowledged the significant role of the A-50 in supporting Russian military activities over Ukraine.
Furthermore, Ukraine later claimed to have shot down another A-50 in February, although details of the weapons used remain unspecified. Following these losses, it is reported that only about five of such aircraft remain operational in the Russian fleet.
There were also attempts by Ukraine in March to target the Beriev plant involved in the maintenance and modernization of the A-50s, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Russian sources indicated that the facility was at the time repairing an A-50 previously damaged in a drone attack.