Ukraine opens criminal probe into downing of Russian plane

KYIV (AFP): Ukraine’s SBU security service on Thursday opened a criminal probe into the downing of a Russian military plane that Moscow said killed 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Kyiv has not said whether captured Ukrainian soldiers were killed — or if it was involved — in Wednesday’s shooting down of a military transport plane over Russia’s western Belgorod region, close to the border with Ukraine.

“The security service of Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation into the downing of an IL-76 Russian Air Force plane in the Belgorod region,” the SBU press service said.

“The SBU is currently taking a range of measures to clarify all the circumstances of the downing,” it said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Wednesday for an international investigation into the incident.

Kyiv has confirmed a prisoner exchange was due to take place on Wednesday at the border between the two countries, but said Moscow did not inform them that any POWs would be transported by plane.

Ukraine has also not confirmed or denied Russia’s central claim that Kyiv shot down the plane, killing dozens of Ukrainian soldiers on board.

The SBU said its criminal probe was considering “violations of the laws and customs of war.”

Zelensky warned on Thursday that Ukraine’s ability to ascertain facts surrounding the crash would be hampered given that it happened on Russian territory.