Russia is prepared to transfer the bodies of those who perished in the crash of the Russian cargo plane Il-76 in the Belgorod Region to Ukraine. According to Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova. Speaking to Sputnik, Moskalkova stated, “Yes, we are ready, everything necessary in terms of the procedure is in place … The bodies can be handed over in accordance with the existing procedures.”
Earlier, Moskalkova had informed Sputnik about her ongoing communication with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, regarding the downing of the Il-76 aircraft.
The tragic incident occurred on January 24, resulting in the loss of six Russian crew members, three Russian servicepeople, and 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war aboard the aircraft after it was struck by a missile. The Il-76 was en route for a planned prisoner exchange, which was subsequently canceled.
Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked following the tragedy that Ukrainian intelligence was aware of the presence of Ukrainian prisoners of war on board the Il-76 military transport plane but proceeded with the attack regardless. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the Ukrainian armed forces utilized the MIM-104A guided missile of the Patriot system to down the aircraft.
