Aviation News – A Ukrainian strike has destroyed two rare Russian experimental aircraft at the Beriev manufacturing and repair plant in Taganrog, dealing a significant blow to Moscow’s airborne early warning development efforts.
Satellite imagery shows severe damage to the facility, which supports Russia’s Beriev A-50 Mainstay fleet, and confirms the loss of two Ilyushin Il-76–based platforms. Analysis of historical ground and aerial images indicates the aircraft were the unique Beriev A-60 and the reportedly modified A-100LL, both key assets in Russia’s advanced sensor and laser research programs.
The attack, carried out using cruise missiles and one-way attack drones, targeted a site central to Russia’s airborne surveillance and technology testing. The A-60 has served as an airborne laser research platform since Soviet times, while the A-100LL has been used to evaluate systems for Russia’s next-generation A-100 AEW aircraft.
Both aircraft played niche but vital roles. Their destruction removes rare, highly specialized testbeds from Russia’s aerospace inventory and could delay ongoing development programs. The strike also highlights the vulnerability of high-value aviation assets positioned near the frontlines.