Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down Russian A-50 aircraft over Azov Sea

According to information from sources within the Ukrainian Defense Forces, it has been revealed that a military aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, A-50, was shot down, and an IL-22M11 with registration number 75106 was damaged.

Reportedly, the A-50 aircraft was downed immediately upon entering the patrol zone near Kyrylivka around 21:10-21:15 on January 14. The A-50 disappeared from radars and ceased responding to tactical aviation requests. Subsequently, the pilot of a Russian Su-30 aircraft detected a fire and the descent of an unidentified airborne vehicle.

The IL-22M11 aircraft was on patrol in the Strilkove area and was eventually shot down along the coast of the Azov Sea at around 21:00 on January 14. After being hit, the aircraft intended to make an emergency landing in Anapa, requesting evacuation and calling for ambulance and firefighting services.

RBC-Ukraine obtained a transcript of the aircraft's communication with the Anapa airport dispatcher, according to the provided source:

What is the situation on the front

According to the data provided by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, there were 61 combat clashes during the past 24 hours on January 13. Meanwhile, the adversary is actively attempting to storm and capture new territories in the Donetsk region.

Meanwhile, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assert that Russians may be forming airborne assault brigades, which would act as specialized units for landing and reconnaissance behind Ukrainian defense lines.

Analysts also report that due to the heightened activity of Ukrainian drones, Russia is shooting down its own UAVs on the left bank of the Dnipro River.