Ukraine Claims Destruction of Russian Spy Plane Over Sea of Azov
Ukraine has claimed to have destroyed a Russian spy plane in a significant strike against Moscow's aerial capabilities over the Sea of Azov. The incident has sparked tensions between the two countries, with conflicting reports emerging from both sides.
The Strike
Information about the downing of two Russian military aircraft by Ukrainian forces over the Sea of Azov appeared in social media late on Sunday. Moscow has not yet confirmed the loss of the aircraft, sparking tensions between the two countries.
A Ukrainian intelligence source provided an audio recording of the incident alleged to be an intercept from a nearby Russian fighter jet relaying an assistance call from the damaged IL-22 to ground control for an emergency landing. CNN cannot independently confirm the audio recording.
Response and Tensions
The A-50 is a priority target for the Ukrainian Air Force. The Institute for the Study of War wrote earlier this month, citing Russian military bloggers, that Russia had 'begun constant sorties of A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft due to the threat of Ukrainian strikes against Russian military infrastructure in Crimea.'
Conclusion
The Sea of Azov separates Ukraine and Russia at the northeastern point of the Black Sea, north of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula occupied by Russia since 2014. The A-50 is a Soviet-era spy plane designed to detect and report back the coordinates and movements of enemy objects.
