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These losses are very sad because the S-400 systems are going to be very lonely without their best friends.

I believe you are correct.

Here's some guesswork:

The A-50 and the Il-22 were being flown further forward to assist the S-400s locate and track the StormShadow missiles.

This was made necessary by the StormShadow attack that injured or killed Gerasimov.

The Patriot radars would easily paint the aircraft, but the launch platforms would be too far back for a successful shoot down.

Ukraine forward deployed a Patriot launcher.

RU ELINT and satellites failed to detect the forward deployment.

On a max range launch, the missile performs a vertical climb to approx 80,000 feet.

During this climb, the missile would not be detected by the A-50 if the aircraft has its radar in doppler mode.

Once the Patriot started cruising at 80,000 feet, the A-50 did not detect the missile because it concentrated on targets flying at low altitude...which is where the StormShadows fly.

Once the Patriot missile acquires the A-50 and locks onto it...it's over for the A-50.

I would guess that the the Il-22 shoot down was a bonus. There's no valid reason for the Il-22 to orbit anywhere near Ukraine.

I doubt we will ever get the full story.

Comments welcome.