Kyiv, Ukraine – In a significant development, Ukraine has declared the destruction of a Russian spy plane over the Sea of Azov, marking a notable victory for the country’s Air Force. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi announced on Monday via Telegram, stating that two aircraft, including an enemy A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and an enemy IL-22 air control center, had been successfully neutralized.
Zaluzhnyi expressed gratitude to the Air Force for what he described as “the perfectly planned and executed operation” in southern Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Forces labeled the special operation in the Azov Sea region as “successful,” underscoring the strategic significance of the mission.
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, provided further details in a Facebook post, confirming that one of the Russian planes targeted had managed to make a landing but was deemed “beyond repair.”
“So, no matter how you slice it, the target is destroyed, and resuscitation will not help!” Ihnat wrote. He highlighted the significance of the long-range radar detection aircraft A-50, emphasizing that its destruction was a priority and a challenging task for the Air Force.
Reports about the downing of two Russian military aircraft by Ukrainian forces over the Sea of Azov surfaced on social media late on Sunday, according to CNN. The Sea of Azov, situated at the northeastern point of the Black Sea, acts as a maritime boundary between Ukraine and Russia, just north of the occupied Crimean Peninsula.
Russia has not yet stated the reported destruction of its spy plane, leaving questions unanswered about the incident. The geopolitical implications of this development could further escalate tensions between the two nations, and the international community will be closely watching for any official responses or developments in the aftermath of this operation.
