Since the Ukrainian Air Force successfully shot down a Russian A-50 AWACS aircraft and severely damaged an Il-22M air command aircraft on January 13, neither side has released further details, triggering various speculations from the outside world. There is a theory that the Ukrainian Air Force used a "Stitch Monster" air defense system consisting of Russian-made S-300s and American-made Patriots to first attract A-50s with "decoy" operations, and then shoot them down with accurate fire control information. Is there any basis for this claim?
The A-50 AWACS aircraft is an air early warning and control system developed by the USSR in the 80-90s of the last century, which can detect and command air and ground targets. But due to technical backwardness and maintenance difficulties, the Russian Aerospace Forces now have fewer than 10 A-50s in good condition, including several upgraded A-50Us. These A-50s are essential for the combat capability of the Russian Aerospace Forces, as they can provide comprehensive surveillance of the Ukrainian airspace against a surprise attack by the Ukrainian Air Force, while also directing the fighters and bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces to carry out attacks.
The Ukrainian Air Force has always wanted to destroy the Russian A-50 AWACS aircraft, as they pose a great threat and restriction on the actions of the Ukrainian Air Force. The Ukrainian Air Force, with the support of Western countries, has access to information on the dynamics of the A-50, so it can develop a corresponding strike plan. The Ukrainian Air Force is said to have launched an airstrike on a Russian base on the Crimean peninsula on January 13, destroying several Russian radar stations in an attempt to lure Russia into sending A-50s in response. Sure enough, the Russian Aerospace Forces sent an A-50 and an Il-22M, as well as a Su-30SM fighter, to the airspace near Berdyansk, for reconnaissance and command.
However, the Ukrainian Air Force has long deployed here a "Stitch Monster" air defense system consisting of S-300 and Patriot, an innovative approach to combining two different air defense systems. The Ukrainian Air Force uses long-range radars of the S-300, such as the 96L6E radar, which can detect air targets at a distance of 300 km, including the A-50 and Il-22M. The Ukrainian Air Force then relays the location information of these targets to the Patriot system, which then uses its own AN MPQ-53 radar for a short start-up to obtain more accurate fire control information, and then launches the Patriot 2 interceptor missile to strike at the A-50 and Il-22M. Due to the short turn-on time of the AN MPQ-53 radar and the aging radar equipment of the A-50, the A-50 may not have detected the Patriot threat in time or did not make it a priority target.
As a result, the Patriot 2 interceptor missiles of the Ukrainian Air Force successfully hit the A-50 and Il-22M, causing significant losses in the Russian Aerospace Forces. The A-50 was hit directly and crashed in the swamp, and although the Il-22M was not directly hit, it was also damaged by the prefabricated fragments of the missile, causing damage to the personnel on board and the body, and could only barely return to the base. This is a successful ambush by the Ukrainian Air Force of the Russian Aerospace Forces and a serious blow to the command system of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Although this claim is only a speculation, it is supported by certain logic and evidence, so it cannot be completely ruled out. If this is true, then it means that there are serious problems in the command system of the Russian Aerospace Forces, such as a lack of sensitivity to enemy movements, a lack of protection for their own targets, and a lack of response to new types of air defense systems. These problems could affect the air supremacy of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Ukraine and even pose a danger to Russia's ground forces. The Russian Aerospace Forces should learn from this incident and improve their combat methods and tactics, otherwise they may pay an even greater price. And for the Ukrainian Air Force, this incident is also an encouragement, proving their ability to innovate and combat effectiveness, and also adding confidence and advantages to them in future air battles.
In conclusion, this incident is of great significance for both sides, and it also demonstrates the uniqueness of the use of the "Stitch Monster" air defense system by the Ukrainian Air Force. Although the Russian Aerospace Forces lost a precious A-50 AWACS aircraft, if it can be improved in time, perhaps this A-50 will not be in vain.