Normally, a country protects its prize military assets with as much air defense as possible, keeping such aircraft out of range of Ukrainian missiles, so this is as much a failure of Russian defense systems as it is a triumph of Ukraine's attacking prowess. Each Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) A-50 costs $330 million in American dollars, with the newest modification over $500 million. According to independent sources, Oleg Volodymyrovych Bdzhola, deputy commander of long-range aviation of the Russian Air Force, was on board the plane. The plane was reportedly downed by a U.S.-made Patriot missile.

Source: BBC

Ukraine's military says it has shot down a Russian military spy plane over the Sea of Azov, in what analysts say would be a blow to Moscow's air power.

Army chief Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi said the air force had "destroyed" an A-50 long range radar detection aircraft, and an Il-22 air control centre.

The A-50 detects air defences and coordinates targets for Russian jets.

Ukraine has struggled to make significant recent advances against Russian forces in the south-east.

A briefing from the UK's Ministry of Defence on 23 February said that Russia "likely" had six operational A-50s in service. The planes can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build.

The BBC has been unable to verify the attack.