Russia’s surveillance aircraft over the Azov Sea was shot down, according to Ukraine

KYIV: Ukraine said on Friday that it had shot down a Russian surveillance aircraft, designated A-50U, over the Sea of Azov. It also released a map that seemed to indicate the jet fell over southern Russia.

Authorities in the southern Russian province of Krasnodar reported that fire teams were on the site of an aircraft accident, without providing any details. Moscow remained silent on the matter.
“Over the Sea of Azov, another valuable Russian A-50U aircraft was shot down,” a social media statement from Ukrainian military intelligence said.

“The downing of the A-50U is another serious blow to the potential and capabilities of terrorist Moscow,” it said.
Similar to NATO’s AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) plane, the Russian A-50 is a reconnaissance aircraft.
The identity of the damaged aircraft and the cause of the accident were not immediately confirmed by AFP.

Social media posts included two videos: one with a big fire in what seemed to be a rural region, and another with many light flashes in a pitch-black night sky.
Firefighting teams were reacting to a fire “of about 250 square meters,” according to the Krasnodar regional authorities, and no local homes were in danger.
It said that “two aircraft” were involved in the incident, but it didn’t say which ones.
“We are now extinguishing the fire. Special services and law enforcement are also operating at the location,” they said.