The information about the explosions at the Machulyschi military airfield near Minsk and the damage to a Russian A-50 aircraft is "good news," but it will not affect the ability of Russians to attack Ukraine with missiles and kamikaze drones, said Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, during a telethon.
The Russians have about nine such aircraft, and half of them are modernized.
"But, of course, this is good news for Ukraine, what else to say. This aircraft is constantly in the air, conducting radar reconnaissance, scanning the territory when our air defence systems are operating, identifying their location, tracking takeoffs, landings and directions of our aircraft," Ihnat said.
Ihnat was asked whether such reports about the aircraft's destruction should be trusted, even though there was no evidence.
"I do trust. I have my own sources of information, but I cannot disclose them to you," commented the Air Force spokesman.
On 26 February, explosions were reported at the Machulyschi military airfield near Minsk and damage to a Russian aircraft and snowplough equipment. According to Belaruski Gayun, the target of the attack was a Russian A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft. The two explosions allegedly damaged the front and centre parts of the aircraft, avionics and a radar antenna.