A high-ranking Russian legislator claimed that Ukrainian military intelligence received a 15-minute advance notice before a Russian military transport plane, transporting Ukrainian prisoners of war, was shot down on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic loss of all on board.

Moscow contends that Kyiv is responsible for downing the Ilyushin Il-76 plane in Russia’s Belgorod region, leading to the deaths of 74 individuals, including 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers who were en route to be exchanged for Russian prisoners of war.

Russia’s Investigative Committee asserted on Thursday that the plane was targeted by a Ukrainian-made surface-to-air missile.

Contrary to the Russian assertion, Ukraine denied receiving any warning, Reuters has reported.

While it has neither confirmed nor refuted its involvement in the plane’s downing, Ukraine has contested the specifics of Moscow’s narrative and has called for an international inquiry into the incident.

“The Ukrainian side was officially warned, and 15 minutes before the plane entered the zone they were given complete information,” Andrei Kartopolov, a former general with close ties to Russia’s defence ministry, told lawmakers, according to the ruling United Russia party.

His claim contradicted statements made by Ukrainian military intelligence, which asserted that Russia did not provide any information about the flight plans.

Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, stated that unlike customary procedures preceding prisoner-of-war swaps, Kyiv had not been approached by Russia with requests to avoid hostilities in the airspace where the plane was ultimately shot down.

He disputed Moscow’s account of the events.

Written by B.C. Begley