GUR representative Yusov: Russia did not demand a ceasefire in the area near Belgorod where the IL-76 was shot down

Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, commented to the BBC on the situation regarding the downing of the IL-76 military transport aircraft near Belgorod.

In particular, the Russian side claims that the plane was transporting Ukrainian prisoners of war for exchange and was shot down by Ukrainian air defense.

Key points from Andriy Yusov's interview

* Ukraine has no confirmed information about the presence of Ukrainian prisoners of war on board the downed plane. Russia did not notify Ukraine that prisoners of war would be transported by this military aircraft. Russia did not request a "ceasefire" in this area.

* The exchange of prisoners of war was supposed to take place in the Sumy direction, where a "ceasefire" was required on both sides, and the Ukrainian military observed it. The Russian prisoners of war were taken to the exchange point in civilian transport, as it should be, but unfortunately, the exchange did not take place.

* The downed Il-76M is a military modification with a cannon armament in the tail section. This aircraft was used to deliver enemy forces and equipment, ammunition for strategic aviation at the Engels-2 airbase, as well as missiles for the S-300 and S-400 systems in Belgorod, which are used to fire on Kharkiv.

* During the previous exchange of prisoners of war, when 230 defenders returned to Ukraine, air transport was also used. At that time, Russia verbally informed Ukraine about the transportation of Ukrainian prisoners of war and requested a "regime of silence." Ukraine ensured this regime.

* Belgorod is located close to the border and the combat zone, and both military clashes and special operations often take place on its territory. The city is closed to civil aviation and is one of the most heavily armed with Russian air and missile defense. Incidents of "friendly fire" by Russian forces have occurred before. This could be one of the scenarios of the IL-76 incident.

* Belgorod is located in the area of Ukrainian air defense. Ukrainian reconnaissance drones were flying over it, and the Russian side was attacked by kamikaze drones.

* The DIU has no information that the IL-76 could have been shot down by Ukrainian air defense.

* The DIU does not rule out that Ukrainian prisoners of war could have been used as human shields. It also does not exclude that the plane could have been carrying both people and weapons;

* Information about who exactly was on board needs to be clarified, as Russia is hiding it as much as possible. There are few photos and videos, and no bodies of the victims are shown. According to intelligence, only five bodies were delivered to the Belgorod morgue yesterday.

* The DIU has information that two high-ranking Russian officials were supposed to be among the people accompanying the Ukrainian prisoners – one from the military and the other from the government. At the last moment, the FSB advised them not to use this flight but to use other transportation.

* Ukraine initiated and insists on the establishment of an international commission to investigate the downing of the IL-76M near Belgorod.

Background. Earlier, the GUR emphasized that the Russian Ministry of Defense never distributes lists of prisoners for exchange, it was done by Russian propaganda.