$330 Million Russian Spy Plane Shot Down By Ukraine

An extremely valuable Russian military plane was shot down near Ukraine last week, U.S. military officials say.

The $330 million Beriev A-50 was lost over the Sea of Azov to the south of the frontline. Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s forces are now down to eight operational A-50s in their fleet, which they use to plan military operations inside Ukraine.

Passengers aboard the plane are not yet known, but its military importance likely means that it contained senior officials. It is not clear whether anyone survived.

Another Russian command plane was also shot down that night by Ukrainian missiles but was able to return to base. At least two people were injured.

Though Ukraine remains stalled on the frontline after its summer offensive did not go to plan, it has stepped up attacks on high-value Russian military targets in Crimea and inside of Russia itself.

U.S. intelligence reports suggest that Russia has lost 87% of its standing army in the Ukraine war.

Last month, Putin called the war that he started “a tragedy.”