Ukrainian services: There may have been people on board the crashed plane with S-300 missiles as human shields at the same time.
There may have been both S-300 missiles and people on board the Russian Il-76 that crashed in Belgorod yesterday. This was said by Andrii Yusov, representative of Ukrainian military intelligence, hypothesizing to Radio Liberty that Ukrainian prisoners may have been used as human shields for the transport of missiles and ammunition. His words come at a time when many questions remain about the crash of the plane, which the Russians said was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners while Kiev believed it was loaded with S-300 missiles. “There could have been S-300s, missiles and people on board at the same time. We are talking about a large military aircraft. According to them, it was a third full. What was the point of using this type of aircraft?” asked Yusov. He wondered why such a large plane was used to transport 65 prisoners. Additionally, remember that two Russian An-26 and An-27 aircraft also flew in the area before the accident. “Many circumstances – he emphasizes – require detailed investigation and investigation.”
The state holding prisoners of war is responsible for their safety, including transport for exchange, Yussov says, emphasizing that Kiev has met all conditions. Kiev intelligence is, he explains, considering all possible scenarios for the Il-76, including a deliberate provocation in which Ukrainian prisoners of war are used as human shields to transport weapons and ammunition for the missile systems they aim at Ukrainian cities. Furthermore, it is possible that the Russians shot down the plane themselves, accidentally hitting it while aiming at a Ukrainian drone. It is “a war zone” in which Ukrainian reconnaissance drones are stationed that could be attacked by the Russians, emphasizes Yussov. “It has often happened in Russia,” he explains, “that their aircraft, both civilian and military, have been destroyed by friendly fire. It is important to emphasize that this is a military aircraft in which they were not intended to be prisoners of war in any way.