Russian Leader Vladimir Putin Claims US Patriot Missile Was Used to Take Out POW Aircraft
Jose Nino
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On January 31, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that a United States-manufactured Patriot missile was used to take out an aircraft that Russian authorities claim was transporting captured Ukrainian troops.
On January 24, a Russian Il-76 cargo plane ostensibly crashed with 65 Ukrainian prisoners on board.
“The plane was shot down, it has already been established for certain, by an American Patriot system. This has already been established by forensics,” Putin stated during a TV appearance on January 31.
Previously, Ukrainian officials have issued previous comments and statements where they did not completely deny Russia’s account of events. However, in this case, Ukrainian authorities raised doubts about whether the plane was actually transporting Ukrainian authorities.
Further, Putin noted that Russia was “insisting” on the initiation of an international investigation into the attack on the plane. However, he called attention to the fact that there are no international organizations willing to join this hypothetical investigation.
On top of that, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for an international probe, but stated it would likely be hamstrung owing to how Russia has complete control over access to the plane crash site.
The Patriot missile system is made up of guided surface-to-air missiles that can be used to attack aircraft or in a defensive manner to neutralize incoming missiles.
Towards the end of 2022, the US government reached an agreement with Ukraine to send Patriot missile systems to the war-torn country after several months of requests.
Despite Israel occupying most foreign policy attention in Washington, DC after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks against it, the US is still playing a significant role in arming Ukraine in its war against Russia.
At the end of the day, if the US wants peace and to maintain Ukraine’s territorial integrity, it needs to stop sending military aid to Ukraine.
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