Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to release the findings of Moscow's investigation into the crash of a transport plane, which he claims was shot down by Ukrainian forces despite being informed that Ukrainian prisoners of war were onboard. Speaking publicly about the incident for the first time, Putin echoed previous statements made by Russian officials, stating that the crash occurred during a planned prisoner exchange when the IL-76 military transport aircraft went down in Russia's Belgorod region, resulting in the deaths of all 74 individuals on board.
While Putin did not provide any specific evidence to support the accusation against Ukraine, other Russian officials have also made similar claims. On the other hand, Ukrainian officials have not confirmed whether their military was responsible for downing the plane but have called for an international investigation.
The crash has been mired in a series of conflicting claims and counterclaims from both Russia and Ukraine, with each side attempting to sway public opinion in their favor. At this point, independent verification of Moscow's allegations remains difficult.
Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that a planned prisoner exchange was scheduled for Wednesday but was ultimately called off. They have expressed doubt regarding the presence of prisoners of war on the IL-76 and have put forth their own theories about the cause of the crash. Additionally, Ukrainian authorities have suggested that the aircraft may have posed a threat, highlighting the fact that Russia did not request any specific airspace to be safeguarded during the planned exchange, as they had done in the past.
Reacting to Moscow's claims, Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukraine's air force commander, dismissed them as 'rampant Russian propaganda.'
Putin, on the other hand, announced that the flight recorders of the plane had been located and assured the publication of Russian investigators' findings. He stated, 'There are black boxes, everything will now be collected and shown. I will ask the investigative committee to make public, to the maximum extent possible, all the circumstances of this crime — so that people in Ukraine know what really happened.'
Recognizing the need for an impartial and comprehensive investigation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for an international inquiry into the crash.
As the conflicting narratives and uncertainty surrounding the incident continue, it remains crucial to establish the truth through an objective and thorough investigation. The release of the investigation's findings will provide transparency into the circumstances of the crash, offering clarity for both the Ukrainian public and the international community. Only then can a clear understanding of what truly transpired be reached.
