The representative of the Verkhovna Rada, Dmytro Lubinets, has already appealed to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the downfall of the Il-76 military plane in the Russian Federation.
Ukraine demands an international investigation into the Il-76 crash
According to Ukraine's Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, he has already sent official letters to the UN and the ICRC asking whether they had been informed by the Russian Federation about the transfer of prisoners of war by plane and asking that representatives of these organisations join the inspection of the scene.
At the same time, I am convinced that just like in the case of the tragedy in Olenivka, where Russia blamed Ukraine, this time Russia will also make accusations, but no one will be allowed to the scene of the incident, ombudsman said.
Lubinets noted that such statements by the Russian Federation could be an informational attack against Ukraine.
In my opinion, this is a vivid example when the Russian Federation planned a propaganda information campaign against Ukraine. I believe that the enemy will continue to use the issue of prisoners of war in order to destabilise the situation inside Ukraine and reduce the support of our state by its partners, — says Lubinets.
In addition, he noted that the exchange was indeed planned. In particular, the employees of the Ombudsman's Office visited it yesterday to analyse the condition of our heroes who were to return from captivity.
And we have also officially recorded and will continue to record the conditions of keeping Russian prisoners in Ukraine. After all, Ukraine adheres to the Geneva Conventions, Lubinets clarified.
He also noted that according to the Geneva Conventions, full responsibility for the life and health of prisoners of war rests with those who keep them. Also, the country that transports prisoners of war must fully ensure their safety and report and inform the ICRC about the movement of prisoners of war. In this case, this responsibility lies with Russia.
The Il-76 crash: what is known
On January 24, an Il-76 military transport plane crashed in the Korochan district of the Belgorod region of Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that there were 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board who were being taken for exchange. The Ukrainian MOD did not confirm to the public that the Ukrainian Defence Forces hit the plane because "the information is still being clarified."
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine confirmed that an exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine was being prepared for January 24.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, later stated that the Russians were playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners. He called for an international investigation.
Today, it became known that the Security Service of Ukraine started the criminal proceedings regarding the Il-76 crash in the Belgorod region. The investigation is carried out under Article 438 of Ukraine's Criminal Code (violation of the laws and customs of war).
