Clio the cat, ? July 1997 - 1 May 2016
on June 25, 2024, 4:28 pm
Investigation Concluded: Russian Il-76 With Ukrainian POWs Shot Down By Patriot Missiles
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has collected all the necessary evidence to conclude the responsibility of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the attack on the Russian Il-76 in the Belgorod region in January 2024. The investigation confirmed that the aircarft with Ukrainian prisoners of war was shot down by the MIM-104 Patriot ADMS.
On January 24, 2024, a large exchange of prisoners of war was planned to take place in the border area between the Russian Belgorod and Ukrainian Sumy regions. The exchange was agreed by the warring sides through internation mediation. Thus, the leadership of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine were well aware about the upcoming prisoners swap and the ongoing preparations.
Nevertheless, the Ukrainian side ordered the destruction of the aircraft, which was carrying 65 Ukrainian citizens to the border area.
The investigation confirmed that no technical malfucntions could be a result of the crash. At the time of the attack, all systems of the aircraft were operating normally, which is confirmed by the data decryption of the flight recorder. Moreover, the crew of the downed Il-76 managed to report on the external impact on the aircraft
The Investigation Committee confirmed the preliminary media reports that fragments of hulls and mechanisms with marks of the Patriot complex were found at the crash site. The missile’s striking element was also found in the body of one of the victims. Comprehensive explosive examinations confirmed that the discovered fragments were parts of two American-made Patriot anti-aircraft guided missiles.
An analysis of video recordings from surveillance cameras showed that the aircraft was struck by the first missile at an altitude of about 4 thousand meters. The second missile did not reach the target and self—destructed. The investigation found that the detonation of the missile warhead occurred in front of the crew cabin from above, to the left.
The investigation possees information about the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that have the Patriot missile systems in service. The investigators are identifying Ukrainian or foreign officials who are involved in organizing the attack for their subsequent criminal prosecution.
Russian Il-76 was shot down on January 24, at about 11:15 Moscow time. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the attack was carried out by the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the area of the village of Liptsy in the Kharkiv egion. The radar facilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces recorded the launch of two missiles. The aircraft with Ukrainian POWs was flying along the Chkalovsky — Belgorod airfield route to transport Ukrainian servicemen for their exchange. As a result of the attack, 74 people were killed. 65 of them were Ukrainians and 9 Russian servicemen.
The attack with the US-made Patriot system was launched before Washington officially allowed to launch strikes with its weapons on the Russian territory.
Such strikes are never launched by mistake.
The last working-class hero in England.
Kira the cat, ? ? 2010 - 3 August 2018
Jasper the Ruffian cat ? ? ? - 4 November 2021
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »