Russian Air Force A-50 Destroyed

On June 1, 2025, the Russian Air Force lost one A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft following a coordinated Ukrainian drone assault. Part of "Operation Spiderweb," the strike targeted Ivanovo Air Base using FPV-type drones. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that these UAVs employed AI-enabled autonomous navigation to maintain flight paths and terminal guidance despite signal loss. While multiple airframes were engaged, satellite imagery and official footage confirm a reduction of one active unit. This loss further constrains Russia’s specialized AEW&C fleet, impacting its aerial surveillance and theater command-and-control capabilities.