The editor of the investigative portal The Insider, Michael Weiss, announced on the 'X' platform that he had seen footage showing Ukrainian FPV drones striking two Russian Beriev A-50 aircraft, otherwise known as "flying radars", during the June 1 attack.
According to him, Russia had only six such aircraft and with this attack, it is left with only four. The price for such an aircraft reaches about 400 million dollars. Although the footage has not yet been made public for security reasons, numerous journalists have confirmed that they have seen it.
The Beriev A-50 is a Soviet airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, built on the Il-76 transport aircraft platform. It is equipped with a powerful radar that can detect and track up to 150 targets simultaneously, at ranges of up to 650 kilometers.
The aircraft entered service in 1985, and about 40 units have been produced so far. The most advanced version, the A-50U, has significant technological improvements. Due to the high cost and technical difficulties, especially under the influence of international sanctions, Russia finds it very difficult to replace these aircraft.
Their loss is a major blow to the Russian Air Force, as the A-50 plays an essential role in coordinating air operations and monitoring airspace.
Just watched a video showing Ukrainian FPVs hitting two Russian A-50s. Can't share the video just yet, but this confirms the scuttlebutt from the SBU that they knackered two irreplaceable Soviet-era early warning and control aircraft. Russia only has six. Well, now four.
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) June 3, 2025
According to information from the Ukrainian secret service (SBU), these aircraft were hit as part of the latest operation called "Spider Web", which is considered the largest Ukrainian drone attack on Russian air bases.
The operation involved the use of FPV drones, which were secretly loaded into trucks inside Russian territory. During this attack, more than 40 Russian military aircraft were hit, including strategic bombers such as the Tu-95 and Tu-22M3, as well as A-50 aircraft. A total of five air bases across Russia were attacked.
If the loss of the two A-50s is confirmed, it would mean Russia has lost a third of its fleet of these advanced aircraft. Given that they are very difficult to produce and replace, this loss has long-term consequences for Russia's ability to effectively manage and coordinate air operations in the conflict with Ukraine. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
