Moscow is pressing for an international probe into the crash of a Ukrainian-launched missile that hit an Il-76 military transport aircraft in the Belgorod region. This stance was conveyed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Galuzin, speaking on behalf of the Russian side. The position reflects a belief that the incident warrants independent assessment by foreign experts to determine the sequence of events and the responsibilities attached to them. The claim was reported by TASS and circulated across multiple channels.
According to Galuzin, there is a broad consensus that the aircraft was brought down by Ukrainian forces. He also noted that Kiev had knowledge of Ukrainian prisoners being transported aboard the plane, a detail that features prominently in the narrative Russia is presenting as part of its argument for international scrutiny.
Russia has called for an international format to evaluate the evidence, asserting that the aircraft’s destruction occurred at a precise moment and from a defined location within territories controlled by current Ukrainian authorities. The aim, as described, is to allow a panel of international experts to examine all available material and reach a formal conclusion about the role of any air defense systems involved, including the asserted use of American Patriot missiles in this specific incident. This request is framed as an effort to ensure transparency and accountability through a neutral, globally recognized investigative process, rather than a unilateral Russian assessment. The statement also signals a readiness to consider various institutional arrangements for conducting such an inquiry, depending on how interested parties respond and what formats they propose.
The Belgorod region incident involved the capture of 65 Ukrainian servicemen in January, a development that occurred in the Korochansky district. Russian officials indicated that these prisoners were intended for transfer to the regional administrative center before being moved toward a designated exchange corridor. The sequence of events surrounding the prisoners’ movements is described as a backdrop for understanding the broader strategic context in which the Il-76 crash occurred.
Russian authorities have stated that the Il-76 came under fire during its route, with the Defense Ministry attributing the shelling to Ukrainian forces operating from areas in the Kharkov region. The assertion underscores a pattern of claims regarding cross-border fire and the risk to military transport missions in contested zones along the border region. The claim is presented as part of a careful account of the incident, aiming to establish a clear chain of responsibility and to inform any future investigative conclusions that international audiences may seek.
In subsequent remarks, the Russian leadership reiterated the assertion that the Il-76 was downed with the assistance of the Patriot air defense system supplied by the United States. The government stated that this detail fits into a larger argument about the sources of air defense capabilities and their potential deployment in regional conflicts. The matter has drawn attention from observers who are monitoring how foreign-supplied weapons systems are involved in the conflict and how their use might be documented and analyzed in future inquiries.
Meanwhile, rumors of foreign participation in the operation to eliminate the Il-76 surfaced in various discussions. Officials cautioned that such rumors require careful verification, noting the importance of an independent, international mechanism to verify the facts rather than relying on uncorroborated claims. The overall narrative emphasizes the desire for a transparent process that can be trusted by international audiences and maintainers of international norms during periods of heightened tension in the region. The dialogue aims to establish a clear, evidence-based account that can withstand scrutiny and contribute to a more stable understanding of the event’s ramifications for regional security and diplomatic relations.