Ukraine says it downs second A-50 Russian spy plane

Ukraine’s military announced on Monday that it had shot down a second Russian A-50 spy plane in less than a month. The incident occurred near the eastern city of Kharkiv, where Ukraine is currently engaged in a conflict with pro-Russian separatists.

The A-50 is a surveillance aircraft used by the Russian military to gather intelligence on enemy movements and communications. This latest incident is likely to further escalate tensions between Ukraine and Russia, who have been locked in a bitter conflict since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the downing of the A-50, calling it a “provocation” and a “violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.” He vowed to take all necessary measures to defend the country’s territorial integrity.

The Russian government has denied any involvement in the incident, claiming that the A-50 was conducting a routine reconnaissance mission along the border with Ukraine. However, Ukrainian officials insist that the aircraft crossed into their airspace without permission before being shot down.

Ukraine’s military has released footage of the A-50 crashing in a field near Kharkiv, with debris scattered across the area. The pilot was reportedly killed in the crash, and there have been no reports of any casualties on the ground.

The downing of the A-50 comes just weeks after Ukraine shot down another Russian surveillance aircraft in the same region. The incident is likely to further strain relations between the two countries, who have been at odds over issues ranging from Ukraine’s bid to join NATO to the ongoing conflict in the Donbas region.