In what will be seen as a major blow to Vladimir Putin, General Valery Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, said Kyiv’s forces also shot down a Il-22 airborne command centre in the attack.
The two aircraft were apparently blown out of the sky over the Sea of Azov on Sunday night.
The Soviet-era A-50 uses radar to detect missiles and enemy aircraft, and can also be used as an airborne command centre.
Russia reportedly only had eight operational A-50s left in its air force prior to Sunday’s incident.
Details about the weapons used to shoot down the plane have not yet emerged.
The A-50 is one of a diminishing number of sophisticated AWACS reconnaissance planes, while the Il-22M likely had on board at least one senior war commander.
An overheard air traffic control exchange audio relating to the Il-22M said: “It’s been hit, landing in Anapa.
“Urgently need an ambulance and fire engine.” Russian Telegram channel Colonelcassad admitted there had been casualties on the aircraft.
Russian Military Informant channel added: “If the loss of the aircraft is confirmed, it will be a huge setback for domestic aviation since there are only a few such AWACS aircraft in service and are constantly in short supply at the front.”
Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergey Markov also speculated on “use of a new type of weapon by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“This – or some new Western missiles transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” he said.
“Or it may even be possible to begin combat use of F-16 aircraft with just a new type of missile.”
In December, Ukraine claimed to have downed four Su-34s in three days. Russian military aviation Telegram channel FlightBomber – with close military contacts – today appeared to admit the catastrophic blows.
“Tragedy is always tragedy. Especially when it’s on this scale,” said a post.
“No matter who was there. Who is to blame for the deaths of the pilots, we probably won’t know. “To the dead – eternal flight.
“To the wounded, speedy recovery and return to service.”
A Russian A-50 based in Belarus was also blown up in a partisan drone attack in February last year. The Kremlin declined to comment on the latest incident at a briefing with reporters.
