Crew members of An-26 that had been fulfilling the task within the active phase of the ATO (anti-terrorist operation) had established contact with the General Staff, Minister of Defense Valeriy Heletey reported to Petro Poroshenko on July 14, the presidential website said.
Also, given the fact that the plane was going at a height of 6500 m, its damaging by MANPADS was impossible. Thus, the plane was downed by another, more powerful missile weapon that probably was used from the territory of the Russian Federation.
Currently, SAR mission is being conducted to deliver the crew of the plane to the territory controlled by Ukrainian servicemen.
