Ukraine hits Taganrog with drones: Satellites confirm enemy plane destroyed
A-50 aircraft (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
During the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ strike on Taganrog, specifically the Russian aviation plant TANTK named after Beriev, on the night of November 25, not only was the Russian army’s experimental A-60 aircraft destroyed, but also the A-100LL plane, according to the OSINT project Harbuz on Telegram.
Satellite images confirm the loss of another Russian aircraft.
Photo: The Ukrainian Armed Forces also managed to destroy an A-100LL aircraft (screenshot)
The images clearly show the results of the combined attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which used Bars missiles and Neptune cruise missiles.
Instead of the IL-76 shown in the image, the destroyed aircraft was actually the A-100LL, as confirmed by a subsequent satellite image taken before the attack.
Photo: image taken before the Ukrainian Armed Forces strike (screenshot)
The A-100LL is a test platform for the Russian long-term project A-100 Premier, which was intended to replace the Soviet-era A-50 AWACS aircraft, though the program has been on the verge of cancellation.
According to Defence Express, attention should be paid to the radar antenna mounts above the wing. This clearly indicates that the aircraft is not just an IL-76, but a long-range airborne radar platform. The A-100 can be distinguished from the A-50 and A-50U by an additional antenna located above the cockpit, which the A-50 does not have.
The fact that this is specifically the A-100LL, a flying laboratory, and not the A-100 Premier prototype, is indicated by its location at TANTK im. Berieva, where it has been stationed for many years. This aircraft is based on the Il-76MD, with the red tail number 52 and registration RF-93953.
The A-100LL also plays a crucial role as a ground test platform for all A-100 systems. A wide range of testing and evaluation of equipment for the actual operational aircraft is conducted on it. This makes the A-100LL a highly valuable asset for the Russian program to develop new AWACS aircraft to replace the A-50, as well as for the likely modernization of the existing fleet.
During the Ukrainian Armed Forces strike on Taganrog on the night of November 25, the experimental A-60 aircraft at the TANTK im. Berieva aviation plant was also hit.
The strike reportedly targeted an oil refinery in Taganrog as well. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the attack.
