Moscow, 1 Feb (ZXS) -- The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation announced on 1 February that the Russian side has confirmed that the Russian Il-76 military transport plane was shot down by a US-made "Patriot" anti-aircraft missile in Belgorod Oblast on 24 January.
According to the official of the Russian Investigative Committee, on January 24, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched two anti-aircraft missiles in the Liptsy region of Kharkiv Oblast and attacked an Il-76 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces. During the examination of the crash site of the military aircraft, 116 pieces of shrapnel and the wreckage of the mechanical device of the two missiles were found, marked with English letters and related markings, scattered northeast of the crash site of the military aircraft18 km and 4 in the southeast direction8 km range.
The Russian side's research using a variety of detection methods has shown that traces of black sokin containing about 10% Octotojin have been found from the above-mentioned fragments, which are consistent with the characteristics of foreign-made objects. According to the design features, geometric features and identification marks of the fragmented parts obtained from the site, these are the structural elements of the American-made MIM-104A "Patriot" anti-aircraft missile.
According to sources, the Russian side has started the identification of the bodies of the victims. The Commission is continuing its investigation into the incident.
On January 31, while attending an event in the capital Moscow, Putin said that the Russian side had confirmed that the Russian Il-76 military transport plane was shot down by the "Patriot" missile system launched from the area controlled by Ukraine. He said that he did not understand why the Ukrainian side did this, "it can be assumed that it was an accident, but in any case it was a crime". At the same time, he said that Russia will not stop exchanging prisoners with the Ukrainian side because of this incident.
On February 1, the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) passed a document to the US Congress on Ukraine's use of "Patriot" missiles to attack the Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft, calling on the US Congress to condemn the "criminal acts" of the Ukrainian authorities, give up support for Ukraine, and help hold those directly involved in the attack accountable.
On January 24, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a Russian Il-76 military transport plane carrying 65 captured Ukrainian military personnel crashed in Belgorod Oblast on the same day, killing a total of 74 people on board, including 6 crew members and 3 escorts. The Russian side characterized the incident as a "terrorist attack". (ENDS).