Poland's S‑200 air‑defence helps Ukraine down Russian Tu‑22M3 bomber and A‑50 aircraft

Ukraine’s air‑defence used the Soviet‑era S‑200 system supplied by Poland to shoot down a Russian Tu‑22M3 bomber and an A‑50 airborne early‑warning aircraft in February 2024. The A‑50, valued at US$300‑350 million each, is a scarce asset for Russia, which operates only a handful of the type. Polish deliveries to Kyiv, disclosed by the Ministry of Defence, total roughly 15 billion złoty and include heavy armour, fighter jets, helicopters, drones and air‑defence missiles such as the S‑200 and S‑125. The successful engagement underscores the impact of Poland’s military aid on Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aerial operations.