Ukrainian officials have vehemently rejected claims by the Kremlin that 65 prisoners of war met their demise in a tragic incident involving the downing of a Russian transport plane.
Accusing Russia of fabricating the narrative for propagandistic purposes, they assert that the aircraft was devoid of passengers when it was shot down.
According to reports from Mail Online, suspicions aligning with the Ukrainian stance have been voiced by Western security officials regarding the authenticity of the passengers aboard the aircraft.
Doubt surrounds Moscow’s assertion, particularly regarding the publication of purported passenger manifests, which have been contested by Ukrainian authorities.
Further skepticism emerged surrounding the contents of video footage captured at the crash site in western Russia, revealing scant human remains.
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Ukrainian authorities swiftly refuted claims made by Russian media outlets, contending that some individuals listed as passengers had previously been repatriated through prisoner exchanges.
While the Kremlin insists that over 70 individuals, including POWs and crew members, were aboard the Ilyushin II-76 aircraft, evidence presented by Russia’s Investigative Committee contradicts these claims.
A released video displayed limited human remains, casting doubt on the alleged passenger count.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian human rights commissioner, expressed surprise at Russia’s rapid public response to the crash and urged international bodies such as the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to investigate the site.
Despite Kyiv’s plea, the ICRC refrained from commenting until facts are established, labeling the reports as “worrisome.”
Additionally, revelations surfaced suggesting that the Ilyushin II-76 had been utilized for transporting Iranian missiles.
Ukrainian military spokesperson Andriy Yusov disclosed restrictions imposed on Russian emergency workers from inspecting the crash site near Yablonovo, with only a handful of bodies recovered from the wreckage.
In light of these developments, President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded an independent investigation into the incident, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability amidst escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
