Russian Investigative Committee: Missile that downed Russian plane was fired from Ukraine
The Russian Investigative Committee has reported that it has determined the missile that downed the Russian Il-76 aircraft, which was carrying 74 people including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the country's Belgorod region, was launched from Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
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In a statement from the committee, it was noted that investigations into the crash of the Il-76 military transport aircraft in the Belgorod region are continuing with the relevant teams that have been established.
The statement, which included information that radar examinations of the airspace in the region where the plane crashed were conducted, stated, "Within the scope of the investigation, it was determined that the weapon from which the anti-aircraft missile that hit the military transport plane was launched was located in the village of Liptsy in the Kharkiv region."
The statement also noted that documents confirming the identities of the Ukrainian soldiers who died in the incident have been added to the investigation.
THE DOWNING OF THE RUSSIAN PLANE
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on January 24 that the Russian plane, which was carrying Ukrainian prisoners, had been hit in the Belgorod region by a rocket fired by Ukraine.
The statement, which recalled that there were 6 crew members, 65 Ukrainian soldiers captured in conflicts, and 3 Russian military personnel accompanying them on the plane, reported that the plane's crew and all passengers had lost their lives.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that they had called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) following the downing of the Russian plane.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the downing of the Russian plane by a rocket from Ukraine was a "monstrous act," adding, "An international investigation into the criminal actions of the Kyiv administration is necessary."
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, however, stated that Russia had not informed them that the security of the Belgorod airspace needed to be ensured for a specific period of time for the transport of prisoners.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces also reported that they would continue to take measures to eliminate the terrorist threat and destroy transport vehicles, including along the Belgorod-Kharkiv route.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he had instructed the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to share the data they have regarding the incident with their partners, adding, "Our state will insist on an international investigation into this incident."
The Russian Investigative Committee reported that a terrorism investigation is being conducted into the incident, and the black boxes from the plane have been found and taken for examination.