Former SBU Chief Nalyvaichenko discusses weaponry and significance of A-50 downing

Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament and former head of the Security Service of Ukraine, shared this information on Espreso TV.

"The Armed Forces are gradually receiving, and in certain areas, they've already got weapons that reach places Russians weren’t expecting. To maintain secrecy, its current designation is 'wandering Patriot.' Essentially, these are highly precise systems, now reaching the most formidable air forces," he stated.

In a historic event, a Russian A-50 radar detection aircraft was shot down over the Sea of Azov, marking a crucial development, as highlighted by Nalyvaichenko.

"This implies the complete elimination of the detection complex over our territory, covering all air, land, and even sea objects and targets that require protection," he explained.

He pointed out that the recent presence of Soviet aircraft in the Russian Armed Forces allowed them to surveil up to 400 km deep, posing a risk to our territory and skies.

"For instance, in places like Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro, the A-50 guided the S-300 and S-400. Radars with a range of 300 to 400 km guided ballistic missiles, essentially acting as flying terrorist stations," stated the former head of the SBU.

The destruction of the A-50 aircraft is definitive and deserves separate congratulations to our heroes. Russia is unlikely to replicate such an aircraft. Though there might be 3 or 4 remaining, the operational status and their potential for damage comparable to the destroyed A-50 are uncertain, according to Nalyvaichenko.

"Western intelligence views this as a significant historic achievement for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Air Defense. I agree with experts that the crews and operators, eliminated with the plane, likely no longer exist in Russia. The crew comprised at least 15 guidance and tracking operators. This is a severe blow to the aggressor, diminishing their capacity to control our territory and direct Russian missiles," he concluded.

• On January 15, Yuriy Mysyahyn along with Defense Forces sources, reported the downing of two Russian planes over the Sea of Azov.
• On the same day, Armed Forces of Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhnyi and the Air Force confirmed the destruction of Russian A-50 and IL-22 aircraft. General Mykola Oleschuk, Commander of the AFU Air Forces, hinted that this was a response to last year's Russian missile attack in Dnipro, resulting in 46 casualties.
• According to Oleh Katkov, the director of development at Defense Express, the destruction of the Russian planes was possible due to a carefully planned operation by the Defense Forces.
• The operational command "South" noted that the eliminated Russian A-50 aircraft had been used for powerful missile strikes on Ukraine. Its destruction may potentially delay future missile attacks from the Russian Federation.