Russian A-50 AWACS aircraft in service with the Russian Army are not all in working order.
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Almost half of these aircraft are not able to stay in the air. Such aircraft were discovered at an air base in Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan region of Russia. So, on February 24, there were two A-50s there, and on February 28, there was still one aircraft of this type in the parking lot. The Crimean Wind monitoring group reported this on Telegram.
In the parking lot are four Su-57s, which are considered to be Russia’s newest fifth-generation fighters. Also present are four Il-76s, not shown in the photo.
And at the air base in Ivanovo there are four A-50 long-range radar surveillance aircraft on the field with engines and one outside the field with engines. Another seven A-50 units are inoperative without engines.
In 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already destroyed two Russian A-50 reconnaissance aircraft, the last one was shot down on February 23 over the Sea of Azov. Another one was damaged by Belarusian partisans in February 2023 at the Machulishchi airfield.
The Main Intelligence Directorate stated that there are now six more such reconnaissance aircraft left in service with the army of the Russian Federation. Each such aircraft costs from 350 to 500 million dollars, depending on the modification.
Let us remind you that the media showed the location of the A-50 in satellite photos. One of these planes is located in the city of Taganrog, namely at Taganrog-Yuzhny Airport. This is only 130 km from the combat line in the Donetsk region.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.