Moscow, January 25 – Initial findings from the investigation have revealed that the downed Il-76 plane in the Belgorod region was subjected to an anti-aircraft missile attack from Ukrainian territory, the Russian Investigative Committee reported in its Telegram channel. The statement said, “A complex set of investigative actions is being carried out to identify individuals from armed formations in Ukraine who are involved in this terrorist act.” The agency has initiated a criminal case under the charge of “Terrorism.”
Earlier on Thursday, an emergency services representative revealed that hundreds of entry holes from Ukrainian missiles were found on the wreckage of the crashed Il-76, some of which were lodged in the outer shell while many pierced through it. On Wednesday, January 24, the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down the military transport aircraft Il-76 over the Belgorod region, which was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners for exchange. On board were also six crew members and three military police officers, none of whom survived. Prior to the crash, Russian military detected the launch of two anti-aircraft missiles from the Kharkiv region. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the Kiev regime was aware of the transportation of Ukrainian servicemen for the planned exchange, scheduled to take place later that same day on the border of the Belgorod and Sumy regions. The Kremlin described Ukraine’s killing of its own citizens, who were supposed to be home in a few hours, as a monstrous act. In turn, Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the State Duma, instructed the preparation of an appeal to the American Congress and the Bundestag, as it is the United States and Germany that supply Ukraine with Patriot and Iris-T anti-aircraft missile systems.
