Russia accuses a top Ukrainian commander of downing a military plane carrying prisoners of war, escalating tensions over the deadly January incident.
Russia’s Investigative Committee on Saturday accused the commander of Ukraine’s 138th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, Mykolai Dziaman, of ordering the downing of a military transport plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war earlier this year.
The committee claims the Il-76 aircraft was hit by a U.S.-made Patriot missile system operated by Dziaman’s brigade. He has been placed on an international wanted list.
“Further investigation continues into identifying other accomplices involved in this crime, including senior military officials at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry,” the committee added.
There was no immediate Ukrainian official reaction to the accusation by the Russian committee, though it previously called the aircraft a legitimate military target.
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