The A-50 AEW&C aircraft is a key enabler for Russian air operations over Ukraine, and the loss of an airframe to a UAV strike in Belarus will be keenly felt by Russian forces. (United Aircraft Corporation)

A Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Beriev A-50 ‘Mainstay' airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has reportedly been put out of action by saboteurs in Belarus.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported the claim made by the Belarusian ‘partisan' group BYPOL that an A-50 had been critically damaged during an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on Maschulishchy Air Base (also known as Minsk-Machulishche Air Base) in Belarus on 26 February.

“BYPOL reported two explosions and damage to the front and middle sections of the A-50 ‘Mainstay', as well as the radar antenna,” the MoD said in its latest Intelligence Update posted on 28 February. “Attribution and damage has not been officially corroborated,” the MoD added.

According to the MoD, the attack leaves the VKS with just six operational A-50s. Janes World Air Forces

The A-50 AEW&C aircraft is a key enabler for Russian air operations over Ukraine, and the loss of an airframe to a UAV strike in Belarus will be keenly felt by Russian forces. (United Aircraft Corporation)

A Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Beriev A-50 ‘Mainstay' airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has reportedly been put out of action by saboteurs in Belarus.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported the claim made by the Belarusian ‘partisan' group BYPOL that an A-50 had been critically damaged during an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on Maschulishchy Air Base (also known as Minsk-Machulishche Air Base) in Belarus on 26 February.

“BYPOL reported two explosions and damage to the front and middle sections of the A-50 ‘Mainstay', as well as the radar antenna,” the MoD said in its latest Intelligence Update posted on 28 February. “Attribution and damage has not been officially corroborated,” the MoD added.

According to the MoD, the attack leaves the VKS with just six operational A-50s. Janes World Air Forces

The A-50 AEW&C aircraft is a key enabler for Russian air operations over Ukraine, and the loss of an airframe to a UAV strike in Belarus will be keenly felt by Russian forces. (United Aircraft Corporation)

A Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Beriev A-50 ‘Mainstay' airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has reportedly been put out of action by saboteurs in Belarus.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported the claim made by the Belarusian ‘partisan' group BYPOL that an A-50 had been critically damaged during an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on Maschulishchy Air Base (also known as Minsk-Machulishche Air Base) in Belarus on 26 February.

“BYPOL reported two explosions and damage to the front and middle sections of the A-50 ‘Mainstay', as well as the radar antenna,” the MoD said in its latest Intelligence Update posted on 28 February. “Attribution and damage has not been officially corroborated,” the MoD added.

According to the MoD, the attack leaves the VKS with just six operational A-50s. Janes World Air Forces

The A-50 AEW&C aircraft is a key enabler for Russian air operations over Ukraine, and the loss of an airframe to a UAV strike in Belarus will be keenly felt by Russian forces. (United Aircraft Corporation)

A Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Beriev A-50 ‘Mainstay' airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has reportedly been put out of action by saboteurs in Belarus.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported the claim made by the Belarusian ‘partisan' group BYPOL that an A-50 had been critically damaged during an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on Maschulishchy Air Base (also known as Minsk-Machulishche Air Base) in Belarus on 26 February.

“BYPOL reported two explosions and damage to the front and middle sections of the A-50 ‘Mainstay', as well as the radar antenna,” the MoD said in its latest Intelligence Update posted on 28 February. “Attribution and damage has not been officially corroborated,” the MoD added.

According to the MoD, the attack leaves the VKS with just six operational A-50s. Janes World Air Forces

The A-50 AEW&C aircraft is a key enabler for Russian air operations over Ukraine, and the loss of an airframe to a UAV strike in Belarus will be keenly felt by Russian forces. (United Aircraft Corporation)

A Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Beriev A-50 ‘Mainstay' airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has reportedly been put out of action by saboteurs in Belarus.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported the claim made by the Belarusian ‘partisan' group BYPOL that an A-50 had been critically damaged during an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on Maschulishchy Air Base (also known as Minsk-Machulishche Air Base) in Belarus on 26 February.

“BYPOL reported two explosions and damage to the front and middle sections of the A-50 ‘Mainstay', as well as the radar antenna,” the MoD said in its latest Intelligence Update posted on 28 February. “Attribution and damage has not been officially corroborated,” the MoD added.

According to the MoD, the attack leaves the VKS with just six operational A-50s. Janes World Air Forces

The A-50 AEW&C aircraft is a key enabler for Russian air operations over Ukraine, and the loss of an airframe to a UAV strike in Belarus will be keenly felt by Russian forces. (United Aircraft Corporation)

A Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Beriev A-50 ‘Mainstay' airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft has reportedly been put out of action by saboteurs in Belarus.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported the claim made by the Belarusian ‘partisan' group BYPOL that an A-50 had been critically damaged during an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on Maschulishchy Air Base (also known as Minsk-Machulishche Air Base) in Belarus on 26 February.

“BYPOL reported two explosions and damage to the front and middle sections of the A-50 ‘Mainstay', as well as the radar antenna,” the MoD said in its latest Intelligence Update posted on 28 February. “Attribution and damage has not been officially corroborated,” the MoD added.

According to the MoD, the attack leaves the VKS with just six operational A-50s. Janes World Air Forces