US Confirms Russian Il-76 Shot Down by Ukrainian Armed Forces

US officials have confirmed on condition of anonymity that a Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft, which was transporting Ukrainian soldiers for a prisoner exchange, was shot down by the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the assistance of the American Patriot missile system. This was reported by The New York Times and conveyed by TASS.

According to the media outlet, American officials will not publicly comment on the incident, but privately they have stated that reports regarding the use of the Patriot by the Ukrainian Armed Forces are accurate. The publication, citing its sources, writes that the Patriot missile system used to shoot down the Il-76 was provided to Ukraine by a European partner.

It is worth noting that on January 24, the Ukrainians targeted the aircraft, resulting in the deaths of all aboard: 6 crew members, 3 accompanying personnel, and 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were being transported for an exchange with Russian prisoners of war.