Russian Military Analyst Accuses UK of Involvement in Crash of Russian Military Transport Plane
In a shocking turn of events, a prominent Russian military analyst has accused the United Kingdom of orchestrating the tragic crash of a Russian military transport plane near the Russia-Ukraine border. Alexei Leonkov, a well-known pundit who frequently speaks on military matters, made these claims during a recent broadcast on the Kremlin-controlled television channel Russia-1. While Leonkov did not offer any evidence to support his allegations, he firmly believes that the plane was deliberately shot down as part of a well-planned operation by the British.
The incident in question involved an Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, which crashed in Russia’s Belgorod region. The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that among the casualties were 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) who were scheduled to be included in a prisoner swap. Moscow has accused Ukraine of shooting down the plane, but Ukraine vehemently denies any involvement and questions whether POWs were even aboard the Il-76.
Leonkov’s accusations against the United Kingdom stem from his belief that Britain is spearheading NATO’s European front against Russia. He points to recent speeches by Tobias Ellwood, former U.K. defense secretary, who suggested that conscription could be implemented in Britain due to external threats. According to Leonkov, such belligerent speeches are indicative of Britain’s commanding role within NATO and its attempts to dictate actions to other countries.
Furthermore, Leonkov argues that the British had multiple motives for orchestrating the plane crash. Firstly, he claims that they wanted to sever the last remaining connection between Russia and Ukraine—the exchange of prisoners. This connection, according to Leonkov, is vital for maintaining some form of communication and facilitating prisoner swaps between the two nations. By disrupting this process, the British hoped to further isolate Russia from Ukraine.
Additionally, Leonkov accuses the U.K. of pressuring European partners who do not align with their stance on Ukraine. Germany, in particular, has been reluctant to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles, a move that the British allegedly disapprove of. Leonkov suggests that the British orchestrated the plane crash using a system from Ukraine’s arsenal, which was supplied by NATO countries.
These accusations have sparked international interest and concern, prompting inquiries from various news outlets. BBC Monitoring reporter Francis Scarr shared a translated video of Leonkov’s claims on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Newsweek reached out to the ministries of defense for both the United Kingdom and Russia for comment but has yet to receive a response.
As the investigation into the crash continues, it is crucial to gather all the facts and evidence before drawing any conclusions. The allegations made by Alexei Leonkov are serious and demand thorough scrutiny. The truth behind this tragic incident must be uncovered to ensure justice for the victims and to maintain stability in the region.
