DIU: Russia did not warn that the prisoners might be delivered by plane. It is not yet known who was on board

This is stated in a statement by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.

Intelligence officers officially confirmed that an exchange of prisoners was supposed to take place on January 24, but did not take place.

Ukraine, for its part, has fulfilled all agreements to prepare for the exchange. Russian prisoners were delivered on time to the agreed point for exchange, where they were safe.

The Russian side had to ensure the safety of the Ukrainian servicemen. At the same time, the Ukrainian side was not warned about the need to ensure the security of the airspace in the area of the city of Belgorod at that time. Although this has been done many times in the past.

Ukraine was not informed about the number of vehicles, routes, and forms of delivery of prisoners. After all, the delivery of prisoners is carried out by planes, railways, and cars.

The DIU notes that this may indicate deliberate actions by Russia aimed at creating a threat to the life and safety of prisoners.

“Landing a transport aircraft in a 30-kilometer combat zone cannot be safe and in any case should be discussed by both sides, because otherwise, it jeopardizes the entire exchange process. Based on this, we can talk about planned and deliberate actions of the Russian Federation to destabilize the situation in Ukraine and weaken international support for our state,” the statement says.

What is known about the crash of Il-76?

On the morning of January 24, Russian Telegram channels that connect with Russian security forces reported that an Il-76, a military transport aircraft designed for transporting and landing personnel, equipment, and cargo for various purposes, crashed in the region. Dozens of deaths were reported on board.

Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources in the Defense Forces, reported that the downing of the Russian Il-76 was the work of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The General Staff told the publication that the plane was transporting missiles to the S-300 systems with which the Russians are shelling the Kharkiv region. Interfax-Ukraine, citing an informed source close to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, writes that the Russian Il-76 plane was shot down on takeoff.

NV's source in the Ukrainian Air Force said that this Il-76 aircraft is used to deliver ammunition to the front several times a day: “This is their proven route, which they use at least three times a day to deliver not only ammunition but also S-300s. We are sure that there were no prisoners there.”

Meanwhile, the Kremlin media, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense, wrote that there were allegedly 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board the Il-76, who were transported for exchange, as well as 6 crew members and three accompanying persons. Russia says that on January 24, a large exchange of prisoners who were transported by plane was being prepared, and the Ukrainian side was allegedly warned about this.