Ukrainian Colonel Who Ordered A-50 AWACS Shoot-down Put on Russian Wanted List

Russia has put on a federal wanted list a Ukrainian official who ordered air defense units operating under his command to shoot down an A-50 AWACS early warning aircraft that was flying within Russian airspace on February 23 this year.

The Russian Investigative Committee placed Colonel Nikolai Dzyaman, commander of the 138th anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the federal wanted list, Russian media reported.

The incident in question occurred when an AWACS A-50U aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces was shot down over Kuban airspace. The aircraft crashed near the village of Trudovaya Armenia in the Kanevsky district of the Krasnodar Territory. It was returning to base after completing missions over the Sea of Azov when it was hit by an anti-aircraft missile, presumably fired from an S-200 air defense system.

The Ministry of Defense refrained from making comments during the ongoing investigation. However, the Russian Investigative Committee has now taken steps to address the matter and refute any false claims regarding friendly fire.

Colonel Dzyaman stands accused under Article 205 Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, specifically for a terrorist act resulting in the death of a person. This accusation stems from his alleged order to destroy the A-50U aircraft.

This incident marks the second A-50 being shot down since the beginning of 2024, with the first one occurring on January 15th over the Sea of Azov. Prior to the conflict with Ukraine in 2022, Russia reportedly had around 12 A-50 AWACS planes in working condition. The loss of these rare command and control aircraft poses a significant setback for Russia, given their limited numbers.

The A-50 aircraft are crucial assets, known for their low-density, high-demand capabilities. They play a critical role in providing vital reconnaissance and command and control functions, including detecting incoming threats such as cruise missiles, drones, and low-flying fighter sorties. The loss of these aircraft not only affects the immediate reconnaissance capabilities but also poses risks to Russian fighters in the area, potentially disrupting their operations far from the front lines.