The IL-76 with Ukrainian prisoners of war was shot down by a Patriot system

The investigation has completed a piece-by-piece analysis of the structural fragments of the aircraft. On its basis, it was concluded that the missile warhead detonation occurred in front of the cockpit from above, to the left in the direction of the flight. Multiple penetrating injuries characteristic of penetration by the impact elements of an anti-aircraft guided missile were recorded. The aircraft was hit by the first missile at an altitude of about 4,000 meters. The second missile did not reach its target and self-destructed. The investigation has information about which units of the Ukrainian army have the above-mentioned missile systems in service. The leadership of the GUR (Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service) and the Armed Forces of Ukraine knew for a fact that the Ukrainian prisoners of war were being brought to the place of exchange on the specified date. Nevertheless, an order was given to shoot down the aircraft. The work to identify the specific officials involved in the organization of the terrorist attack continues in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Defense. The IL-76 crashed on January 24 in the Belgorod region. The 6 crew members, 3 members of the Russian Defense Ministry’s military police and 65 Ukrainian POW’s en route to the exchange venue were killed.