In a significant development in the ongoing conflict, the Ukrainian Air Force is reported to have shot down a Russian A-50 radar plane over the Azov Sea on Sunday evening. This incident was reported by multiple Ukrainian news outlets, including RBC Ukraine, Suspilne, and Hromadske, who cited various sources close to the matter.
According to these reports, the incident took place near Kyrylivka, a village in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region. Witnesses, including the pilot of a Russian Su-30 fighter jet, reportedly saw the aircraft ablaze before it descended.
In a related event, Ukrainian forces are also said to have brought down a Russian Il-22M11, an airborne command post, near Strilkove in the Kherson region. Post the strike, the crew of the downed plane is said to have requested evacuation and called for emergency medical assistance.
Further details emerged from Yuriy Mysyagin, the deputy chairman of the Ukrainian parliament's National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Committee. Mysyagin revealed that one of the aircraft disappeared from radar as it was descending near Kerch, located in Crimea.
These reported strikes mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. However, as of now, there has been no official comment from the Ukrainian Air Force regarding these incidents.
The situation remains tense, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces on high alert. The international community is closely monitoring developments, as these incidents could have broader implications for the conflict and regional stability.
