The Russians have allegedly lost an A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft with the tail number RF-50601 "Red" in the skies over Ukraine. An IL-22M11 command and control aircraft was also reportedly damaged. This was reported by Militarnyy with reference to relevant sources.
"The loss of such aircraft is a heavy hit to the Russian Air Forces, and the Russian defence industry is unable to compensate for this loss," the report said.
The means of destruction of the aircraft is unknown, it could be surface-to-air, air-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft missiles or a breakdown. One of the most likely options is friendly fire.
Updated. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyy confirmed that our defenders destroyed Russian A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and an enemy IL-22 air control centre.
"I thank the Air Force for the perfectly planned and executed operation in the Azov Sea region!" he wrote on Telegram.