A year has passed since Moscow Kiev has been accused of destroying a Russian military aircraft carrying dozens of war prisoners in Ukraine. Ukraine has launched an investigation, but has not yet been able to publish its results by questioning who and why he was killed.
The crash of IL-76 transportation in the Belgorod region of Russia near the border of Ukraine has introduced multiple allegations at a subtle moment for Kiev, as it lobbying for Western assistance to create its erosion weapons.
Russian officials have called it a “terrorist” act and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Ukrainian officials Did not confess or deny The plane shot down, and said that they could not confirm that Ukrainian prisoners were on the board. American officials Were later evaluated The Ukrainian forces who were shot dead by US -made Patriot missiles thought that the aircraft carried Russian missiles and warships.
“There are many questions about our situation,” Sofia Sobolyva, who believes that her father was on the plane, said in a recent interview.
The prisoners’ families are still waiting for the answer, one year later we know about the accident here.
Contradictory account
The Ministry of Defense of Russia On January 24, 2024 says A military transport was shot and destroyed while traveling to Belgorod for a prisoner exchange. It said the aircraft had 4 Ukrainian prisoners and no survived after the crash.
Initially, the Russian military transport aircraft in the border area spoke of the right to target the aircraft, which was a stage ground for the 2022 attack and then used to mount the attacks. During the crash, the deadly Russian missile attack was hitting Kharkiv on the outskirts of the Ukraine border, and Kiw emphasized the need to interrupt those attacks.
Soon, however, the Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has indicated the possibility of a tragic mistake, not directly acknowledged that Ukraine has destroyed the aircraft, explaining how it could happen. A Ukrainian official said IL-1, often used to transport goods Been used before To supply ammunition and missile, it was a valid goal.
The agency acknowledged that the imprisonment exchange was planned for January 24 – but Russia did not warn Ukraine that prisoners were being taken to Belgorod airport, as were the previous exchange. Russian officials That controversial Account, Ukraine’s army has been notified.
Separate claims depicted the endless lack of clarity that has become a defined feature of war. Both sides have pushed the descriptions of their choice in almost three years of fighting and unwilling to reveal or acknowledge the hazards.
Call on
Ukraine President Volodimir Jensky has called for his country intelligence agency to determine what happened and to invest in an international investigation into the accident. He complained to Russia “the life of Ukrainian prisoners, the feelings of their loved ones and the emotions of our society”.
Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency has launched an investigation into the incident.
Russian officials said the plane crashed into a snowy field near a settlement in Korochansky district. No independent party was able to visit the accident site; Ukraine requested the Red Cross and the United Nations to give access.
Satellite images and unwanted Russian videos that may have been contained Crash site And the ruins The area where Russia describes an aircraft, but the passengers could not be identified from the picture.
Ukraine officials requested citizens for patience while investigating Moscow’s claim.
Identification
Prisoner exchange throughout the war has been regular, even in the bitter battle. But the Ukrainian authorities are usually Do not reveal, even to the familyThose whose names will be released before exchange.
The Russian authorities did not identify the victims in the accident when it announced. But Name The board alleged that there were 5 prisoners Shared on social media By RT’s chief editor of RT, the state media broadcast of Russia,
A few days later, Ukraine’s government agencies who monitor the prisoners of war The names confirmed Those who were exchanged on the list of accidents were matched. The company, however, said they had no evidence to confirm that the prisoners were on the plane, even they died.
At that time, Sofia Sobolyva said her family received a phone call from the military to request a meeting. Mrs. Soboleeva’s father was in captivity in Russia from March 2022 – shortly after the war began – and his name was on the list.
“They gathered us and explained the situation but did not answer any questions,” he said. He said the authorities have promised to investigate “fast” and have asked relatives to submit DNA.
Trial
The case was dropped from the title for months. In the beginning of November, the exchanges of the remains were the first signs of a possible break.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that it was present for the residual transfer of November 8. Russia says the transfer includes the remains of 65 people killed in the Downing of IL-76, but that claim could not be verified independently.
“The ICRC did not participate in the identification process,” the company said this week that it was ready to assist the authorities with technical assistance.
Mrs. Sobolieva says that the family of 65, who formed a WhatsApp group, learned about the transfer and the Ukrainian authorities told them that “DNA needs time for skills.”
Outstanding question
The New York Times did not answer the situation in Ukraine’s General Prosecutor and Security Service investigation or whether any residue was detected.
However, there seems to be a slight dispute over who destroyed the plane.
The Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine’s forces for firing missiles from the Kharkiv region near Ukraine that hit the aircraft. American officials Briefs about the events Later it said that Ukraine had destroyed the aircraft using a Patriot Air Defense missile.
Although Ukraine has not officially admitted responsibility, Mrs. Sobolyva says it is now with the point.
“Logically, we understand that Ukraine shot it,” he said, though “we have nothing to do with nothing.
What he is less sure about is whether families will answer their other questions – as how it happened and why.
He described his father as a kind person with “gold hand” – able to fix everything that breaks – who loved to garden.
“There was a lot of stress and tears, but I still don’t understand what happened,” Mrs. Soboleeva said one recent evening.
“Now,” he added, “I’m just wearing his black hat, so I feel warm – mentally and physically.”
