Zelensky says Ukraine ‘will insist on international investigation’ into crash of Russian military plane allegedly carrying Ukrainian POWs

On the evening of January 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft that crashed in Russia’s Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border. Zelensky said he summoned representatives from Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Armed Forces, Security Service, and military intelligence to hear their reports about the situation.

It’s clear that Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war, with the feelings of their relatives, and the emotions of our society.

It’s necessary to establish all the facts. As much as it’s possible, given that the plane crash happened on Russian territory which is outside of our control.

“Facts” is the key word right now. I listened to the Commander-in-Chief and the Joint Staff on the use of the air force. The Main Intelligence Directorate is investigating the fate of all the prisoners of war. The Security Service is investigating all the circumstances. And I instructed Ukraine’s Foreign Minister to inform our partners about Ukraine’s available data. Our government will insist on an international investigation.

Zelensky did not say who he thought was responsible for shooting down the Russian military plane or what may have been the cause of the crash.

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