Russia exploiting Il-76 crash to sow discontent in Ukraine - ISW

That’s according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank, seen by Ukrinform.

The ISW stated that its analysts do not offer an assessment of the circumstances of the Il-76 crash and cannot independently verify the statements made by both parties. At the same time, analysts note that Russia's accusations that Ukraine allegedly shot down an Il-76 plane with Ukrainian prisoners of war on board "are meant in part to sow discontent in Ukraine and galvanize distrust of the Ukrainian government, which is consistent with several other Russian information efforts aimed at weakening Ukraine domestically."

The ISW emphasized that the POW exchange is a sensitive issue for both Russia and Ukraine, so mentioning prisoners in the report predictably elicits an emotional public reaction.

"Russian officials additionally made unsubstantiated claims that Ukraine struck the Il-76 with US- or German-provided missile systems, likely in an attempt to discourage Ukraine’s Western partners from providing Ukraine with critical air defense systems necessary for Ukraine’s continued defense," the report said.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, initially, Russian Telegram channels  wrote an Il-76 strategic airlifter, which is used to transport military equipment and troops, crashed in Belgorod region.

A source in the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted that this plane was carrying missiles for the S-300 air defense system, which the invaders use for mass shelling of Kharkiv region and other areas close to the border.

According to media reports, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the plane was allegedly "carrying 65 captured Ukrainian servicemen", as well as six crew and three guards.

Andrii Yusov, a representative from the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, said the exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine was supposed to take place on January 24. According to him, the information voiced by the Russian side that prisoners of war could be on board the Il-76 plane that crashed in Belgorod region was being verified.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address to the nation that Ukraine would insist on an international investigation into the crash.

Photo: NEXTA