Belgorod mystery: Ukraine probes plane crash
A shroud of uncertainty hangs over the crash of a Russian military plane in the Belgorod border region, sparking a diplomatic dispute and an independent investigation by Ukraine, AFP has reported, quoted by Agerpres.
Conflicting Claims and a Murky Timeline
On Wednesday, the Russian plane, reportedly an Ilyushin Il-76, met its tragic end near the Ukrainian border. Moscow swiftly pointed the finger of blame at Kyiv, alleging it deliberately shot down the aircraft carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war destined for a planned exchange. However, Ukraine vehemently denies the accusations, casting doubt on Russia's narrative.
SBU Steps In, International Actors Urged to Investigate
Responding to the incident, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) launched a formal investigation under Article 438 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, examining potential violations of laws and customs of war. Additionally, Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets urged the United Nations and the Red Cross to secure access to the crash site, expressing skepticism towards Russia's claims regarding the number of passengers and the purpose of the flight.
Questions Linger as Tensions Rise
With both sides presenting contradicting accounts and the truth shrouded in ambiguity, the Belgorod plane crash adds another layer of complexity to the already tense Ukraine-Russia conflict. The lack of concrete evidence and independent verification fuels speculation and distrust, further straining international relations.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
