The network published the first satellite images of the Machulyshchi military airfield and the damaged Russian long-range radar reconnaissance aircraft A-50 PKS on February 26. The photo was published by the private American company MAXAR. On February 26, an explosion damaged a Russian A-50 aircraft at the airport, 12 kilometers from Minsk. The Russian Air and Space Forces use the Machulyshchi airport as a temporary location for A-50 and MiG-31 aircraft to perform combat missions in the war against Ukraine.

Taken on the morning of February 28, 2023, this image shows an A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft said to have been attacked. Judging by the photo, it can be concluded that the aircraft did not suffer significant damage: there are no characteristic traces on it that may have remained from a fire or explosion.

There are dark spots on the “circle” trim and on the wings of the aircraft, but they are not a sign of destruction. Examining three photographs of the aircraft taken at different time intervals on February 28, it can be noticed that the spots that are the result of evaporation of moisture from the fuselage surface gradually “disappear”.

There is also no other visible damage to the airport and the military equipment on it.Satellite image of Machulyshchi airport in Belarus dated February 28, 2023. Photo: MAXAR.

Also, with the help of the Planet.com service, Radio Liberty’s Belarusian editorial office received previous satellite photos of this airport taken a few days before the attack.

Russian MiG-31K interceptors can be seen in photos dated February 19. These are carriers of hypersonic missiles “Kynzhal”, which are constantly on duty near the Belarus-Ukraine border, and every time they rise into the air, an air alert in Ukraine is issued.

Also recorded in the pictures was the DRLV A-50 aircraft. This confirms its presence at the airport on February 26. According to the publication, the aircraft has been stationed at this airport for a long time, seen there in satellite images on February 14 and 9, 2023. The A-50 is a long-range radar detection aircraft and a strategically important asset of the Russian Air Force. The possible loss of one of the nine ships in the PKS will be a strong blow to Russia’s military potential.

DRLV aircraft provide deep reconnaissance of the airspace in the depths of Ukraine and perform the role of checkpoints for the coordination of air operations of the Russian Federation. They also provide a critically important ability to detect low-flying aerial objects against the background of the ground. This is a very important function, because at the moment the tactics of flying at low and very low altitudes to avoid detection by ground radars is the main tactic for aircraft and helicopters of the Ukrainian Air Force. In addition, the A-50 aircraft are a critical component of the R-37 air-to-air missile detection and guidance complex with a maximum range of 300 kilometers. Source