 Russian IL-22 and A-50 planes fly the same route, they are shut down by Patriot missiles. The destruction of the Russian A-50 reconnaissance plane and the damage to the IL-22 air control centre were caused by Western weapons provided by Ukraine's partners. There can be no question of friendly fire. Military expert Vladislav Selesnev said in an interview with oboz.ua. The Ukrainian Patriot system could effectively hit the two Russian military aircraft, he suggested. Selesnev rejected the version that the Russian planes were shot down by their own air defences. The friendly fire version was also put forward. Why didn't I believe it? Because both of the IL-22 and the A-50 had been flying the same route for a long time, actually for two years. That is why the operators of the Russian air defense system know exactly where, which targets are flying and on which route, he explained. He believes that the planes were destroyed by errant Patriot air defense systems. As an example, he recalled the destruction of several aircraft in the Bryansk region and the destruction of three Russian fighter bombers over the Kursen region. Vladislav Selesnev noted that the Russian armed forces have only nine A-50s in service. Each plane cost $300 to $500 million. He also suggested that as a result of the strikes in the IL-22 air command centre, officials of the Russian Federation Army could be killed. Military observer Oleksandr Kovalenko describes the defeat of Russian aircraft over the Sea of Azov as a unique case in the history of world wars and conflicts as it took place in the deep rear. Russian A-50 and IL-22M aircraft could have been hit by Patriot missiles. This is what the experts of the Deutsche Well believe. This means that the Ukrainian command took a risk and moved the Patriot missiles closer to the coast.