The drone attack on the hangar in Taganrog, where the A-50 aircraft was located, indicates that Ukrainian operations can achieve strategically important objectives even in well-protected facilities.
This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom on Twitter.
As stated in the summary, on March 9, Ukrainian military drones attacked the territory of the repair complex in Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, Russia. The Taganrog site produces, upgrades, services, and repairs long-range radar detection and control (AWACS) aircraft of the Russian Air Force A-50U.
According to British intelligence, this site has broader strategic significance for Russia, as it also services strategic long-range bombers, transport aircraft, and serves as a testing center for AWACS and next-generation control aircraft - A-100. The constant presence of active air defense around this facility attests to its importance.
"The loss of the A-50U will likely significantly degrade Russia's situational awareness of operations," the statement said.
Images of the damage inflicted by the attack, which were circulated on the internet, show damage to two large buildings belonging to the A-50U park, which were likely used to shelter aircraft during periods of major repairs, according to intelligence summaries.
"Two weeks after the loss of the second aircraft, the A-50U fleet will likely continue to be unable to conduct flights to support operations in Ukraine. This attack demonstrates that Ukrainian operations can still reach strategically significant targets within Russia, even if such objects are considered to be protected, whether in the air or on the ground," the British Ministry of Defense said.
