Downing of aircraft over Sea of Azov is a significant blow to Russian Air Force capabilities — military expert Zgurets

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"As for the damage to the A-50 and IL-22 aircraft, this information is still pending confirmation, but I am looking forward to it being true. According to a preliminary report, a Russian A-50U long-range radar detection aircraft was destroyed. If we draw a parallel with The Lord of the Rings, this is the Eye of Sauron (a symbol of relentless vigilance - ed.) These aircraft have the capability to control airspace within a 450-kilometer radius. Three of these aircraft were consistently on duty in the air, with one stationed in Belarus, one in the Kursk region, and one in Crimea," commented the expert.

According to him, these aircraft had the capability to observe virtually all of Ukraine's airspace and relayed data to fighter jets, thereby maintaining constant control and enhancing the efficiency of the Russian air attack system.

"If this aircraft is destroyed, it is a significant blow to the capabilities of the Russian air force, as it significantly reduces their ability to detect our aircraft operating at low altitudes. The enemy hardly sees them because the enemy radar is limited to the radio range. However, about 10 such aircraft are in the arsenal of the Russian army. As for the second IL-22M aircraft, it is an airborne command post that works together with A-50s and fighter jets. There is an interception that the IL-22M was damaged over the Sea of Azov. We are waiting for confirmation of this information from our Air Force. If this is confirmed, I think it will be one of the coolest things that happened to the enemy in the airspace thanks to the work of our air defense," summarized Zgurets.

• On January 15, Yuriy Mysyahin, deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, and sources in the Ukrainian Defense Forces announced that two Russian aircraft had been shot down over the Sea of Azov.