His theory is that Ukrainian Su-24 bombers first struck Crimea, disabling several radars and thus suppressing the Russians’ ground-based radar coverage.
Russian commanders then ordered the A-50U to move further north to extend radar coverage over much of Crimea. Along with it was an Il-22M airborne command post.
The A-50 was traveling on a northerly trajectory over Berdiansk, within range of the Patriot system.
The AFU probably used a combination of the Patriot and S-300 system, activating the S-300 radar for a short period of time to obtain target data discreetly. They then conducted missile attacks, shooting down a very valuable A-50 and damaging an Il-22 air command post.
