Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to Russia regarding the transfer of the bodies of Ukrainian prisoners of war who allegedly died as a result of the crash of IL-76 near Belgorod on January 24. Russia is again starting to speculate on the subject of the downing of IL-76, noting that they are ready to carry out the transfer. However, previous appeals have never been responded to. Work on this issue is still underway.
This was stated by Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, to Suspilne.
"It will be possible to confirm the fact when it happens," he said.
Earlier, Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova said that Ukraine had indeed appealed to Russian representatives to transfer the dead prisoners who were allegedly on board the plane. She indicated that Russia was ready to hand over the bodies to Kyiv, commenting on the following:
"We had such a conversation - whether the Russian side is ready to hand over the bodies. Yes, they are ready, they have everything necessary for this in terms of procedure..The bodies can be transferred in accordance with the existing procedures."
In his turn, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Dmytro Lubinets said in a comment to Ukrayinska Pravda that after this statement from the Russian side about the readiness to hand over the bodies, he would address the Russian side again on this issue.
"My position is as consistent as possible: I remain of the opinion that the Russian Federation is once again speculating on the problem of the IL-76 that crashed on January 24. I can officially confirm the facts: as of now, I have not received any official lists or other information," Lubinets said.
He pointed out that Ukraine should demand a transparent investigation, access to the crash site and the involvement of international organizations in the process:
"If we can, according to the Russian side, assume that someone was on board, then we as a state and I as the Commissioner demanded a transparent investigation, access to the crash site, the involvement of international organizations in the investigation and lists of those people who, according to them, were there."
He also added the following:
"The very next day I used all possible channels of communication to get official information from the Russian side. But I did not receive any information."
Lubinets commented that he raises the issue of returning all Ukrainians home - children, hostages, prisoners of war. He also noted the importance of the issues of repatriation of the bodies of Ukrainian heroes during each communication through different channels.
"After the information from the Russian side, we will do everything for today so that no one will ever accuse the Ukrainian side that we are not ready to take away the bodies of our heroes. But at the same time, we have not yet confirmed the fact that there were Ukrainian prisoners on board the downed plane - I have not received any lists or other evidence of this," he pointed out.
He also noted that he would continue to appeal to Russia using all possible channels of communication:
"And in the event that Russia does transfer the bodies to us, then as soon as we receive them, all the necessary expertise will be conducted - and, finally, relatives and friends will have the opportunity to bury the heroes with dignity. But I am saying once again - if the Russian side really hands them over to us".
Earlier we reported that Wall Street Journal analyzed the draft "peace" deal that Russia proposed in April 2022.