First satellite images of attacked Russian А-50 AEW&C aircraft published

The first satellite images of the Machulishchy military airfield and a Russian Air Force A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, which was damaged on February 26, were published on the web.

The photo was published by a private American MAXAR company.

As previously reported by Militarny, a Russian A-50 aircraft was damaged in an explosion on February 26 at an airfield 12 kilometers from Minsk.

The Russian Aerospace Forces use the Machulishchy air base as a temporary station for the А-50 and MiG-31 aircraft to perform combat missions in the war against Ukraine.

The image, taken on the morning of February 28, 2023, showcased an A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, which is said to have been attacked.

According to this photo, the aircraft did not suffer significant damage: it lacks specific traces that could remain from a fire or explosion.

There are dark spots on the radar dome and wings of the aircraft, but they are not a sign of destruction. Analyzing three photos of the aircraft taken on February 28 at different time intervals, one can notice the gradual “disappearance” of spots, which is the result of moisture evaporation on the surface of the fuselage.

There is also no other visible ​​damage to the airfield and military equipment on it.

With the help of the Planet.com service, RFE/RL’s Belarus Service received preliminary satellite photos of this airfield, taken a few days before the attack.

In the images of February 19, one can see Russian MiG-31K interceptors. These are carriers of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which are on constant duty near the Belarusian-Ukrainian border and every time they rise into the air – in Ukraine they declare an air alarm.

The A-50 AEW&C aircraft was also captured on photo. That confirms its presence at the airfield on 26 February. According to the publication, the aircraft has been stationed at this airfield for a long time; it was spotted there on satellite images on February 14 and 9, 2023.

А-50 is an airborne early warning and control aircraft and a strategically important asset of the air forces of the Russian army. The possible loss of one of the nine aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Force will be a strong blow to the military potential of Russia.

AEW&C aircraft provide deep reconnaissance of airspace deep into Ukraine and serve as a control post for coordination of air operations of the Russian Federation. They also provide critical detection capability for low-flying aerial objects against the ground. This is a very important function, because now the tactics of flying at low and ultra-low altitudes to avoid detection by ground radars are the main ones for aircraft and helicopters of the air forces of Ukraine.

In addition, А-50 aircraft are a critical component of the complex of detection and guidance of R-37 very long range missiles of air-to-air missiles, the declared maximum range is 300 kilometers.