A fully developed fleet of airborne early warning and control aircraft could significantly strengthen Russia’s air defense when facing strikes from Western missiles. This assessment was offered by military analyst Vlad Shlepchenko.

According to him, the Ukrainian army deliberately used a saturation tactic before the recent attack on Bryansk, attempting to overload Russia’s air defense network.

On the evening of March 10, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a strike on the city using Storm Shadow missiles. Regional authorities reported that eight such missiles were fired at Bryansk. The attack killed seven people and left 42 others injured. Around 20 apartment buildings were damaged, affecting more than 200 individual apartments. In addition, 33 commercial facilities and more than 20 vehicles sustained damage.

Speaking with the Tsargrad television channel, Shlepchenko noted that the most noticeable progress in countering Ukrainian aviation came in the autumn of 2023. At that time, Russia’s Aerospace Forces actively deployed A-50U airborne early warning aircraft. He also pointed out that the United States widely relies on similar radar surveillance aircraft during operations in the Middle East.

In the analyst’s view, such platforms are among the key elements of modern air warfare. They provide crucial situational awareness and give forces a decisive advantage in monitoring and countering an opponent.

Shlepchenko recalled that in 2023 the most effective results against Ukrainian aviation were achieved through the coordinated use of A-50 airborne early warning aircraft together with S-400 air defense systems. Operating together, this combination reportedly enabled Russian forces to shoot down 24 Ukrainian aircraft within five days.

In 2024, the state corporation Rostec announced plans to resume production of the A-50 aircraft.