A map that appeared to show the Russian spy plane’s crash over southern Russia was published by Ukraine along with its statement on Friday that it had shot down an A-50U over the Sea of Azov.
Authorities in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar reported that fire teams were on the site of an aircraft crash, without providing any details. Moscow remained silent on the matter.
“Another valuable Russian A-50U aircraft was shot down over the Sea of Azov,” Ukrainian military intelligence said in a post on social media.
“The downing of the A-50U is another serious blow to the potential and capabilities of terrorist Moscow,” it added.
Similar to NATO’s AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) plane, the Russian A-50 is a reconnaissance aircraft.
The identity of the damaged aircraft and the cause of the crash were not immediately confirmed by AFP.
Social media posts featured two videos: one with a big fire in what looked to be a rural area, and another with several light flashes in a pitch-black night sky.
Firefighting teams were reacting to a fire “of about 250 square meters,” according to the Krasnodar regional authorities, and no local homes were in danger.
It said “two aircraft” had been involved in the incident, but did not specify what they were.
“At the moment the fire is being liquidated. Law enforcement and special services are also working on the site,” they said.
