Ukraine: No evidence of prisoners of war in crashed Il-76
Published: Thursday, Jan 25th 2024, 13:00
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In the case of the crashed Russian Il-76, the Ukrainian side has so far had no evidence that the plane was carrying prisoners of war.
"We have not seen any signs that there were a large number of people on the plane - whether they were citizens of Ukraine or not," said human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinez on news television on Thursday. Like President Volodymyr Zelensky, he spoke out in favor of an international investigation into the incident. He once again confirmed the failed prisoner exchange.
Lubinez emphasized that, according to the Geneva Convention, the country of residence bears full responsibility for the life and health of the prisoners of war. "That is the Russian Federation," the ombudsman emphasized. Before the exchange, Moscow was obliged to inform the International Committee of the Red Cross about the transportation route of prisoners of war. He accused the Russian side of a targeted and long-planned campaign to defame Ukraine.
The previous day, a Russian Ilyushin 76 military transport plane crashed near Belgorod close to the Ukrainian border. Moscow accused Kiev of having shot down the plane with two missiles. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Ilyushin was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war in addition to the six-member crew and three escorts. The Ukrainian side confirmed a planned prisoner exchange. Initial media reports that the plane had been shot down were retracted after a short time.
Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for almost two years.
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