Russia to put Soviet-era reconnaissance aircraft back into service to conduct reconnaissance over Ukraine

Russia is considering the possibility of putting a Soviet-era M-55 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft back into service, a UK Ministry of Defence intelligence review has said.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence review on Twitter dated 19 November, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "There is a realistic possibility that the M-55 will return to frontline service to bolster Russia’s limited ISTAR [Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance – ed.] capabilities over Ukraine."

Details: Reports suggest that the Russians may reintroduce this aircraft to the armed forces to enhance their limited ISTAR capabilities over Ukraine.

The UK MoD pointed out that Russia's critical shortcoming was its inability to create an adequate ISTAR.

Analysts say this is crucial for timely and accurate pursuit of targets by air, sea and ground forces.

Russia has several M-55 aircraft, which first took to the air in 1988. They perform research functions, having participated in studying the Arctic stratosphere in 1996-1997 and in Antarctica during 1999.

Background: Before that, UK Defence Intelligence had indicated that Russia was concerned with the upcoming supply of Western-made fighters to Ukraine, so it galvanised the integration of its A-50 AWACS aircraft and S-400 air defence systems.

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