Russia has launched a new A-50 long-range airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft to replace the one shot down. However, it is flying much further from the front line, confirming Ukraine's success.
This information is reported by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom on Twitter.
As indicated in the summary, it was previously reported that on January 14, the Russian A-50 aircraft likely exploded and later crashed into the Sea of Azov. The A-50 is a key tool for Russian operations over Ukraine, providing advance warning of airborne threats as well as management and control functions.
According to British intelligence, on January 17, the Russian Air Force, all things considered, began operating another A-50, but this time over land in the territory of Russia in the Krasnodar Krai region, east of Ukraine.
"This activity indicates a reduced risk appetite for the aircraft and an attempt to preserve the remaining A-50, which has lost its overall effectiveness over Ukraine," the statement said.
Despite Russia's lack of an official position on the loss of the A-50, this activity likely "demonstrates Russia's tacit acknowledgment of a successful operation carried out by Ukrainians against an high value air asset," according to the UK Ministry of Defence. If the loss of the A-50 was accidental, such a decision would hardly be necessary.
