Ukrainian forces shoot down Russian Il‑76 transport aircraft with Patriot missile, claims report
It is important to note that the Russian Il-76 crashed in Belgorod Oblast, which borders Ukraine. The cause of the crash remains unclear. While the Russians initially reported that there were 74 people on board, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, Ukrainians have suggested that the aircraft was transporting missiles for the S-300 air defence system.
Towards the end of January, the Russian news agency TASS claimed that "data from the Il-76's black box confirm that the aircraft was subject to external influences". This suggests that the aircraft was shot down mid-air.
The New York Times, citing its sources is now suggesting that the Il-76 was shot down by a Patriot missile supplied by a "European partner." Although there are no official findings, the "reports of using a Patriot missile are true".
The Patriot missiles under discussion are actual weapons that have been deployed several times in Ukraine to shoot down Russian airborne objects. Probably these Patriot missiles played a significant role in the downing of an A-50 and potentially Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles as well.
The American land-to-air missile system, has a maximum range of approximately 161 kilometres (rounded). Depending on the missile used, Patriots can accelerate to speeds of Mach 5 and operate at a maximum altitude of roughly 24,079 metres (rounded). Such capabilities mean these missiles can potentially intercept any enemy weapon or aircraft in the air. It's worth noting that the Patriot set also includes the AN/MPQ-53 radar, which can track up to 125 objects simultaneously at a distance of up to approximately 100 kilometres (rounded).
The downed Ilyushin Il-76 is one of the world's largest aircraft, with numbers in the Russian army steadily decreasing. As recently as 2021, Moscow had roughly 112 examples of such aircraft, yet this number has reduced since the start of the war in Ukraine. The Il-76, in production since 1974, is powered by four jet engines.
The sizable 235 cubic meter cargo space can accommodate loads weighing nearly 27 metric tonnes (rounded). The aircraft can reach speeds of approximately 900 kilometers per hour and has a range of approximately 3,600 kilometers in the basic version (rounded).
