Russia resumes A-50U early warning aircraft operations in Ukraine after losing two aircraft in 2024.

As reported by Russian Weapons on March 10, 2025, at least one of the eight A-50U airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft that were in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces before the start of the war in Ukraine has resumed operations in the Sumy region. It remains unclear whether a single aircraft is operating with extended absence intervals or if two to three aircraft are rotating regularly. The return of the A-50U could suggest an ongoing radar reconnaissance mission in the northeast, possibly in preparation for large-scale operations, as compared to UAVs, it provides higher accuracy in targeting and battlefield monitoring.
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Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Russian fleet of A-50 and A-50U airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has sustained multiple losses, including two by missiles and one by attack drones. (Picture source: Telegram/Military Informant)

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Russian fleet of A-50 and A-50U airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has sustained multiple losses. On January 14, 2024, the A-50U "37 red" from the 610th CBP i PLS unit was reportedly operating within 160 km of the frontline when it was intercepted by a MIM-104C missile near Berdiansk. On February 23, 2024, another A-50U was downed over Krasnodar Krai by an S-200 missile. These losses followed earlier attacks, including the reported drone strike on an A-50 in Machulishchi, Belarus, on February 26, 2023, and have limited the operational availability of Russia’s AEW&C fleet, forcing Russian forces to adjust their strategy, which now reportedly includes the use of Su-30SM fighter jets to protect the aircraft.

The destruction of these aircraft has reduced the number of operational A-50U units, increasing strain on remaining assets. The A-50U plays a significant role in Russian air operations, including battlefield surveillance, target tracking, and command and control. The absence of these aircraft affects the coordination of Russian fighter aircraft and air defense systems, limiting early warning capabilities, as the aircraft now patrols beyond the range of all known Ukrainian surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, maintaining a distance of over 200 km.

On January 14, 2024, British intelligence confirmed that a Russian A-50U was struck, likely by a Patriot PAC-2 missile near Berdiansk, approximately 100 km from the frontline. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valery Zaluzhnyi claimed responsibility for the destruction of the aircraft, along with reported damage to a Russian IL-22M aircraft, which introduced additional operational challenges for Russia, including the need to compensate for lost crew members and reallocate remaining assets.

At the 2024 Fires Symposium, U.S. Army Colonel Rosanna Clemente confirmed that Ukrainian forces successfully used the Patriot air defense system to down the A-50U. The PAC-2 system employs the AN/MPQ-53 or AN/MPQ-65 radar, capable of tracking targets up to 160 km away, with missile interception effective within 70 km and at altitudes of up to 24 km. The event was cited as an example of Ukraine’s expanding air defense capabilities and the effectiveness of Western-supplied systems. The interception was noted as the first recorded combat downing of such an aircraft, impacting Russian airborne reconnaissance and coordination efforts.

In response to these losses, Russian state corporation Rostec announced on February 29, 2024, that it would restart A-50U production. The project, led by Vega Concern and the Beriev Aircraft Company, aims to modernize and replenish Russia’s AEW&C fleet. The A-50U features digital avionics that enhance data processing speed, signal tracking, and target detection. Adjustments are being made to optimize integration with S-400 air defense systems and improve efficiency in detecting and tracking aerial and ground targets.

The A-50U is equipped with the multi-mode dorsal radar system "Shmel-M," enabling operators to detect Ukrainian armored vehicle movements in various weather conditions up to 250 km. (Picture source: RussianPlanes.net/Sergey Krivchikov)

Originally developed as a successor to the Tu-126 AWACS aircraft, the Beriev A-50 entered service in 1985. It incorporates the "Vega-M" radar system, which tracks up to 150 targets simultaneously within a 230 km range. Large targets, including surface ships, can be detected at distances of up to 400 km. With a maximum takeoff weight of 190 metric tons, the aircraft has a flight endurance of four hours at 1,000 km from the base, with aerial refueling capabilities extending its operational reach. Introduced in 2011, the A-50U has been deployed in various operations, including Syria and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and Russian forces reportedly started adjusting their strategies to mitigate the risks, including the use of Su-30SM fighter jets to protect them.

The A-50U is equipped with the multi-mode dorsal radar system "Shmel-M," enabling operators to detect Ukrainian armored vehicle movements in various weather conditions up to 250 km away near Sumy and further south. When Ukrainian forces deploy GBU-39/B guided bombs from F-16AM aircraft at low altitudes, they can be detected at a range of 270 km against the ground and up to 450-500 km at higher altitudes. SCALP-EG cruise missiles can be identified at a distance of 80-100 km against the ground. The A-50U also features infrared systems capable of tracking ATACMS missiles at a range of 550-600 km based on infrared radiation from their solid-propellant rocket motors. The aircraft provides targeting data to S-350A Vityaz, Buk-M3A, and S-400 air defense systems for engaging low-altitude targets beyond the radio horizon.

A Ka-52/M pilot and military blogger with the call sign "Voevoda" stated that the aircraft had undergone radar system upgrades, potentially involving an active X-band phased array radar. This enhancement would improve the aircraft's ability to detect small ground targets with low radar cross-sections, such as artillery, mortars, passive ELINT systems, and military air defense units with optical-electronic sighting devices. This capability would allow the A-50U to provide targeting data for Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and Iskander-M ballistic missile systems.

Based on the IL-76MD, the A-50U has a wingspan of 50.50 meters, a length of 48.27 meters, and a height of 14.80 meters, with a fuselage diameter of 4.80 meters. The wing area is 300 square meters. The aircraft has a normal takeoff weight of 190,000 kg and a fuel capacity of 109,480 liters. It is powered by four D-30KP turbofan engines, each generating 12,000 kgf of thrust. The maximum cruising speed is 800 km/h, with an operational range of 7,500 km and a service ceiling of 12,000 meters. The crew consists of five flight personnel and ten radar system operators.