British Intelligence: Russia starts operating another A-50 - near Krasnodar Krai

The UK Ministry of Defenсe reports.

It is noted that on January 17, the Russian air force began operating another A-50 near the Krasnodar region. This probably indicates a reduced risk to the aircraft and an attempt to preserve the remaining aircraft, despite their overall effectiveness over Ukraine.

Despite no official statement from Russia on the loss of the reconnaissance aircraft, the intelligence community believes that this probably shows Russia's tacit acknowledgment of the successful operation. 

"If the loss of the MAINSTAY was an accident, then such a decision is unlikely to have been required," the intelligence believes.

• On Monday, January 15, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi and the Air Force confirmed the destruction of the Russian A-50 and Il-22 aircraft. 
• The South Operational Command said that the destroyed Russian A-50 was used by Russia to launch powerful missile strikes against Ukraine, so its elimination could delay future missile attacks.