How Ukraine Combines Soviet and American Anti-Aircraft Systems to Down Russian Military A-50 Aircraft

The A-50 is an aircraft that detects and tracks airborne targets, coordinating combat aircraft actions.

Missile revival and adaptation

According to The Times, Ukrainian forces revived the use of the S-200 missile systems, dating back to the Soviet era, after halting their use decades ago. The decision to restore and deploy these missiles was made in May 2022 by the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. The program involved locating former operators and engineers familiar with the systems to ensure they could be restored and used in combat.

The first attempt to intercept a Russian A-50 occurred in the fall of 2023. Although the missiles missed the target due to a last-minute change in the aircraft’s flight path, the operation demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to challenge Russia’s air superiority. The A-50, a crucial asset in Russian military operations, functions as an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system, providing radar surveillance and command capabilities over the battlefield.

Patriot engagements

In 2024, Ukraine also employed US-supplied Patriot missile systems to target another A-50. On January 14, a battery of Patriot missiles, mounted on trucks, was positioned dangerously close to the front line near the Sea of Azov. The A-50, flying alongside an Il-22 command aircraft, was believed to be out of reach of ground-based air defenses. However, Ukraine’s calculated strike resulted in the destruction of the A-50, which crashed into the sea, while the Il-22 sustained damage but returned to base.

Following this incident, Russia moved its A-50 fleet further from the front lines to avoid future attacks. Despite this, on February 23, a second A-50 was shot down using the S-200 missile system, approximately 170 kilometers from the frontline.

Deception tactics and further successes

In another operation, Ukrainian forces used a radar-equipped S-300 system as a decoy to lure Russian aircraft into the range of the Patriot missiles. As Russian planes moved in to destroy the S-300, Ukraine launched its counter-attack, downing two aircraft with the S-300 and four others with the Patriot system.

On April 19, Ukraine’s S-200 struck a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber while it was conducting missile launches over Ukrainian territory. The bomber crashed in Russia’s Stavropol region, forcing the Russian military to alter its missile launch distances to avoid further losses.