Tranted rockets: IL-76 could knock down with Patriot and the number of victims is exaggerated-nyt

According to American journalists, on board IL-76, which was crashed in the Belgorod region, Ukrainian prisoners of war could be. The publication notes that Ukraine acted on the basis of "legitimate but imperfect intelligence. " The Russian military-transport aircraft IL-76 of the Defense Forces of Ukraine may have been shot over the Belgorod region using the Patriot Anti-aircraft missile system, which the Armed Forces received from some "European partner".

About it writes the newspaper The New York Times on Thursday, February 8. The publication, referring to US officials, claims that "the report of Patriot missile is accurate. " As it is noted, the Patriot interceptor was provided to Ukraine by a "European partner". However, the question of who was on board the aircraft remains unclear. Despite Russia's statements that Ukrainian prisoners of war were on board, the officials of Ukraine and the United States believe that this information is exaggerated.

According to The New York Times, Ukraine should continue to develop innovative methods of strikes in Russia. In this regard, it is noted that the use of the Patriot system to attack Russian aircraft does not cause criticism from the United States, but is a necessary innovation. However, the possibility of further use of the Patriot system remains in the case of termination of US military assistance.

According to the US Congress Research Service, the cost of every Patriot interceptor is $ 4 million. According to analysts, in the absence of funding from the US, air defense supply can be broken. It is also noted that the Patrioot system was initially developed to damage the aircraft, but was subsequently adapted to knock down tactical ballistic missiles.

For the first time, Ukraine applied the Patriot system against Russian aviation in the spring of 2023 in order to slow down the air bombing of Russia. "Ukrainians are returning the Patriot system to its priority tasks in the field of anti -aircraft defense," the newspaper notes. In addition, the publication stated that the question of who was on the aircraft "US officials did not confirm the persons of passengers, but they stated that at least some of them were Ukrainian prisoners.

American and Ukrainian officials say that Russia , perhaps, exceeded the death toll, and if the plane was imprisoned, which seems quite probable, American officials have stated that the death of people is compassion, "Ny reads. According to journalists, Ukraine acted on the basis of "legitimate but imperfect intelligence. " The publication notes that this IL-76 aircraft was previously used to transport missiles, which made it a valuable goal for Kiev.

On January 24, the fall of the Russian IL-76 near the village of Yablonovo in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation. The Russian authorities claim that there were 65 captured Ukrainian military, six crew members and three, accusing Ukraine of destroying the aircraft. Official sources at the Ministry of Defense Ministry confirmed that an exchange was planned on January 24. However, the statement on the presence of Ukrainian prisoners of war on board is not confirmed by intelligence.