SBU investigators received unequivocal proof that LPR chief Plotnitsky together with A. Patrushev (Plotnitsky's deputy) and commander of the illegal armed formation "Vityaz" A. Gureev were the organizers of the criminal act [of shooting down the IL-76 military transport plane]. The men shot down the plane using a portable ground-to-air missile near Luhansk airport," the SBU's press service said on February 6.The SBU's website published the audio recording conversations between Plotnitsky and Patrushev how to shoot the plane down and to sell the carcass of downed plane as scrap metal.
Dnipro region representatives of Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office are seeking the conviction of Plotnitsky and the commanders of two illegal military formations for shooting down an IL-76 transport plane.
The tragedy occurred in June 2014 when in Luhansk region while landing at the Luhansk airport ground-to-air missiles were fired and downed a IL-76 military transport plane, killing all nine crew members and 40 soldiers aboard.
