At a Security Council session requested by Russia, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs said that the body “is not in a position to verify the reports or circumstances” of the plane crash in Belgorod.
The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, stated that the organization “is not in a position to verify the reports or circumstances” of the downing of the Russian military plane in Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine.
At a Security Council session requested by Russia to clarify this incident, Rosemary DiCarlo called on Russia and Ukraine “to avoid actions, rhetoric and accusations that could further inflame the situation”.
In the aftermath of Wednesday’s plane crash, Kiev and Moscow have traded accusations, with both governments announcing that they are carrying out independent investigations.
According to Moscow, the Russian military transport plane was shot down by Ukraine with 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board, as well as six crew members and three Russian guards, who were allegedly traveling to Ukraine to carry out a prisoner exchange.
Ukraine, despite acknowledging that a prisoner exchange was being prepared, claims that the plane was carrying missiles and not prisoners of war.
None of the countries has yet presented evidence that corroborates each version. Russia also did not present any proof of the presence or identity of the passengers on this transport plane, nor did it demonstrate that Ukraine knew who was on board the plane.
