Ukrainian forces strike Russian plant that repairs US$350m A-50 aircraft

Ukraine's defence forces struck the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa, in Russia's Novgorod Oblast, on the night of 9-10 November. The plant repairs A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

Source: Ukraine's General Staff

Quote: "Explosions rocked the plant, after which a fire broke out. Information is being gathered on the extent of the damage."

Details: The General Staff said the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant specialises in repairing, upgrading and maintaining military transport aircraft and A-50s. The plant has its own runway, allowing heavy aircraft to land on site.

Quote: "For a Russian aircraft to drop a bomb and a missile to reach its target, the enemy must coordinate these operations: carrying out reconnaissance on targets and detecting and tracking aircraft and cruise missiles hundreds of kilometres away. Russia's 'flying radars', the A-50s, are among the aircraft that do this work."

Details: The General Staff estimates that an A-50 costs about US$350 million and that Russia has only a few operational A-50s left.

It said strikes on the plant prolong repairs and make it harder for Russia to return military transport and special-purpose aircraft to service.

Background:

• In March 2026, Ukraine's defence forces carried out a strike on this plant. The General Staff said the attack had damaged an A-50 that was undergoing maintenance and may also have been awaiting an upgrade.
• On 29 October, Ukrainian forces used a Neptune missile system to attack the Marinovka airfield in Russia's Volgograd Oblast. Two Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers were destroyed in the strike.
• On 15 October, six more aircraft of this type were damaged as a result of a strike on the Borisoglebsk airfield in Voronezh Oblast.

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