Breaking news from the Airbase in Belarus.

 

A Russian A-50U Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was destroyed in a drone strike at Machulishchy Air Base in Belarus.

According to reports, the attack was carried out by the Belarusian guerrilla group BYPOL; the organization later claimed responsibility and confirmed the attacks. 

Damage to the A-50 was also extensive and put it out of action for a considerable period.

BYPOL reportedly used two drones in a "sabotage" operation and took advantage of the aircraft's "large" size.

Russia and Belarus were outraged.

Belarusian security services later found a bag containing drone control panels, which confirmed the act of sabotage. As a result, both Moscow and Minsk will probably treat it as an act of terrorism.

Russia has long accused Ukraine of using what it claims are "terrorist" tactics following the killing of civilians on Russian soil (Daria Dugina) and the bombing of the Kerch bridge.

However, what remains to be seen is whether the deactivation of the AWACS aircraft will affect the operations of the Russian Air Force (VVS) from Belarusian airspace, as the VVS has very few AWACS aircraft.

Machulishchy airport is 12 kilometers from the capital Minsk, which according to the first information, was rocked by two powerful explosions.

 The BYPOL team later claimed responsibility for the attack.

"One of the nine AWACS of the Russian Aerospace Forces worth $330 million was destroyed," their statement said.

Russia already needs more AWACS.

Russia has long been known to have a small number of AWACS aircraft, and this was one of only nine aircraft in its inventory.

The Beriev A-50 is a Soviet-era AWACS aircraft based on the Ilyushin Il-76 that first flew in 1978. 

It entered service in 1985, with about 40 produced by 1992. 

However, their shortage and reported delays in introducing the A -100 AWACS due to industrial and technological sanctions will likely affect Russia's capability against long-range airborne attack capabilities, should Ukraine acquire such in the future.

Beriev A-50 by wiki

@world.war.3.2023