Ukraine does not rule out Russian use of Ukrainian POWs as human shields to transport combat kits and weapons

Kyiv, Ukraine (Svidomi) — Ukraine does not rule out the possibility that Russia could have used Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) as human shields to transport combat kits and weapons. Other planes were in the airspace alongside the Il-76 - AN-26 and AN-72, said Andrii Yusov, a Defence Intelligence of Ukraine spokesperson.

The Il-76 that crashed in the Belgorod region could have had both missiles and people on board, Yusov said.

"There could have been missiles for the S-300 system on board, or missiles and people at the same time. We are talking about a large military aircraft. They said it was only a third full. Did it make sense to use this particular aircraft? There were also other planes flying alongside it at the same time - AN-26 and AN-72 in the space next to the one that crashed. Many circumstances need to be investigated and studied thoroughly," says Yusov.

He explained that the flight had previously been used to transport Ukrainian POWs, but then Russia had asked Ukraine to observe the ceasefire in advance, which the Ukrainian side had actually done. This time, Russia made no such requests.

Yusov says that under international law, it is the state that holds POWs that is responsible for their safety, including transportation to the exchange.

"Ukraine has fulfilled all the conditions and obligations. We can envisage any scenario, including a deliberate provocation, as well as the use of Ukrainian prisoners of war as human shields for transporting combat kits and weapons for missile systems that destroy Ukrainian cities," the DIU representative said.

Ukrainian intelligence found that only five bodies had been delivered to the local morgue in Belgorod the day before. Russian rescuers were not allowed to inspect the crash site. It is not yet possible to verify this information from other sources.

Ukraine insists on conducting an international investigation to find out exactly what happened, Andrii Yusov said.

On January 25, the Security Service of Ukraine opened a criminal investigation into the downing of a Russian Il-76 military aircraft in the Belgorod region, Russia.

The investigation is being carried out under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (“Violation of the laws and customs of war”).

Previously, journalists identified the crew members of the Russian Il-76 that crashed in Belgorod, Russia. Their families confirmed their deaths.