According to a news investigation by Svoboda Broadcast reporters, Russia is using bombers provided by Ukraine about 25 years ago. The weapons were the price for canceling Ukraine's gas debt. “Corruption and incompetence lead to anti-national decisions,” commented Kyrillo Budanov, Ukraine's intelligence chief.
As part of the deal signed in 1999, Ukraine transferred 11 bombers and 575 Kh-55 cruise missiles to Russia in exchange for repaying gas debts.
Investigative journalists from Radio Svoboda's “Plan” project discovered the contract terms and compared their serial numbers with markings on aircraft used in attacks in the Ukraine war, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.
See also: Ukraine asked the US for a powerful “weapon of victory”
It turns out that the Russian Air Force currently has six Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers. Russia also uses missiles provided by Ukraine.
Ukraine provided bombers to Russia. “We have no right to repeat such mistakes.”
The arms transfer agreement was signed by then-Ukrainian Prime Minister Valery Pustvoytenko and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. However, as highlighted by Radio Svoboda, the Ukrainian parliament did not agree to the shipment of weapons.
The value of the donated equipment does not reflect the amount of debt, which amounts to US$275 million. Journalists estimate that Ukraine lost $2.5 billion on the deal.
See also: Russians took out weapons from the Stalin era. he is fighting near major cities
The head of Ukraine's intelligence service, Kirillo Budanov, commented on the findings on social media. “Corruption and incompetence lead to anti-national decisions. As a country and a nation that pays extremely high prices in the fight for freedom, we have no right to allow such mistakes and crimes to be repeated.” emphasized.
“It is good that the information from the HUR, especially about Russian pilots and war criminals, turned out to be useful in creating (journalistic editorial) material. “We will be able to defeat it and protect Ukraine” in an irreversible way. “The national interest should become the top priority for all of us,” Budanau added.
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