Russia opposes creation of international commission to investigate Il-76 crash, Ukrainian intelligence
Photo: Andrii Yusov, representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
To determine the cause of the Russian Il-76 aircraft crash near Belgorod, it is necessary to create an open international commission. However, Russia rejects such a possibility, says a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Andrii Yusov, during a television marathon.
"As for the specific reasons for the crash of this aircraft, the demand to create an open international commission is logical and justified," says Yusov.
According to him, it is possible to definitively establish the cause of the plane crash by studying the wreckage of the aircraft, and the black boxes, and carefully examining the crash site.
"For now, as we see, Russia is rejecting the possibility of such a commission's work," adds the representative of Defense Intelligence.
Russian Il-76 aircraft crash
On January 24, a Russian military transport aircraft, Il-76, crashed in the Korocha district of the Belgorod region. RBC-Ukraine sources report that the aircraft was transporting missiles for the S-300 air defense system.
At the same time, Russia claims that the plane had 65 POWs, 6 crew members, and 3 accompanying individuals on board. Moscow accuses Ukraine of shooting down the aircraft.
The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine confirmed that an exchange was indeed supposed to take place on that day. However, they do not confirm the statement that Ukrainian military prisoners were on the plane.
Also, Andrii Yusov noted that intelligence does not exclude the possibility that the Il-76 could have carried both missiles and people, including VIP persons from Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners. He called for an international investigation.
According to Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, there is no evidence to suggest that dozens of people were on board the Il-76, as claimed by Russia.
It was also reported that the Security Service of Ukraine opened a case regarding the Il-76 crash in the Belgorod region. The investigation is conducted under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violations of the laws and customs of war).
