--- title: "Ukraine Claims It Shot Down A Russian IL-76 Transport Plane (Updated)" description: "As shoot-down claims fly, Ukrainian officials say they are trying to start negotiations with Russia to end the conflict." date: "2022-02-25" modified: "2022-02-26" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick-and-tyler-rogoway" url: "https://www.twz.com/44469/ukraine-claims-it-shot-down-a-russian-il-76-transport-plane" categories: - "Air" - "Armies" - "Around The Globe" - "Europe" - "Il-76" - "Land" - "News & Features" - "Russia" - "Russian Army" - "Transports" - "Ukraine" - "Ukrainian Army" tags: - "anti-tank missile" - "armor" - "Article 4" - "artillery" - "assault" - "Belarus" - "Crimea" - "Cruise Missile" - "Cyber attack" - "Donbas" - "Donbass" - "insurgency" - "invasion" - "Javelin" - "Kyiv" - "MANPADS" - "NATO" - "putin" - "Refugees" - "russia" - "Russian Army" - "Strategy" - "Ukraine" - "Ukrainian Army" - "War" --- # Ukraine Claims It Shot Down A Russian IL-76 Transport Plane (Updated) ![]() *www.twz.com* Ukrainian forces claim to have shot down a Russian [Il-76 Candid]() airlifter flying near the country's capital Kyiv tonight, although there is no independent confirmation of this so far. Il-76s are generally used for heavy transport and paratrooper operations, though there are derivatives of the design that also serve as [aerial refueling tankers]() and [early warning aircraft](). This comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine is now entering its third day. *You can find more information about how Russia's war on Ukraine has progressed so far in earlier rolling coverage of the conflict [here]().* https://twitter.com/_/status/1497347090506297344 At the same time, while details are still limited, Sergii Nykyforov, the top spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has said that the groundwork is being laid for negotiations to bring an end to Russia's invasion. This follows a [number of reports today]() that suggest, despite advancing deeper into Ukraine, Russian forces have been unable to make the military gains they had hoped to have achieved by now. "Ukraine was and remains ready to talk about ceasefire and peace. This is our constant position. We responded in agreement to the proposal of the President of the Russian Federation," according to a machine translation [of Nykyforov's Facebook post](). "Directly at these hours, the parties are consulting about the place and time of the negotiation process. The sooner the negotiations begin, the more chance there will be to restore normal life." Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously called for negotiations over his extensive demands for what he wants Ukraine to do in order to end the conflict. At the same time, he suggested today that the Ukrainian military should overthrow the country's government and then discuss surrender terms with him. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497222933365800998 There can only be questions already about how the Russian side understands the idea of a negotiated settlement to the current conflict. Putin has said he wants the government in Kyiv ousted, Ukraine "demilitarized," a formal pledge that it will not join NATO, and an agreement to cede control of [the Crimean Peninsula]() and [the country's eastern Donbas region]() before he will call an end to his "special military operation." Many, if not all of these points are non-starters for Ukraine, though officials have suggested that they [are open to discussion]() about the country's NATO ambitions. This all notably comes as Russian forces have steadily pushed into Ukraine, but at a pace that is slower than it appears they expected. There are growing reports about increasing Russian casualties, which may number in the hundreds or even thousands already, as well as [supply chain issues]() and [flagging morale](). https://twitter.com/_/status/1497296299531591685 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497214326213652480 "The enemy is clearly surprised by the results of the Ukrainian armed forces and volunteers to protect the integrity of our country," Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova said at a press conference earlier today. "We see that they didn't advance the way they planned." That is, of course, the position of the Ukrainian government, but these general sentiments have been echoed by U.S. and U.K. officials in the past 24 hours. American officials, for weeks now, had been blunt in their warnings about the dangers Ukraine would face in the event of an all-out Russian invasion. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497236824644890626 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497331262490648577 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497232931940667396 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497206130820407299 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497015621082624003 Of course, work toward negotiations does not equate to an imminent ceasefire. In addition, a temporary freeze of hostilities during such talks could potentially give Russian forces some breathing room to regroup and straighten out supply and other issues that may have hampered their operations so far. U.S. officials say they believe that Russia has not yet committed the bulk of the forces that it has arrayed around Ukraine, which had [included more than 150,000 personnel]() at their peak, to this invasion. At the same time, it is very possible that units still in reserve are rated as less capable than those that have been employed in the initial stages. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497235770259746821 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497293487481528323 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497277215242862596 Beyond that, ceasefires unfortunately often go into effect right [after a burst of fighting]() as the parties involved seek to take as much physical territory before they have to halt the fighting. So, there is certainly a possibility that any immediate agreement will leave not-insignificant amounts of Ukrainian territory under Russian control. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497205696038899712 The Kremlin could seek to take more drastic measures to bolster its position prior to any negotiations, especially if it is already frustrated with its inability to achieve its aim on the desired timeline. There have been mounting reports that Russian forces are engaged already [in increasingly indiscriminate attacks]() that put civilians at risk. Still, something like a major artillery barrage or continuous aerial bombardment on the capital would be a far more terrifying act. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497338481852387331 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497309993804222473 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497311732158672898 Regardless, the fighting has certainly not stopped at the moment, as is underscored by the reported shootdown of the Il-76 near Kyiv. There are also still unconfirmed reports that a group of [Russian or Russian-linked saboteurs]() has been detained in the capital. There have been other reports of fighting, as well as Russian strikes, elsewhere in the country overnight, as well. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497345690246135814 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497330381657313282 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497309411290673152 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497288345440985095 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497280896415719426 In the meantime, the U.S. government and other members of the international community continue to escalate sanctions against Russia over the conflict. Most significantly today, American authorities announced plans to sanction Putin, as well as Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov, directly, which will include a ban on their ability to travel to the United States. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497313912475299840 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497337496514215936 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497332995417690118 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497337949033312257 At the United Nations, Russia has now vetoed a draft Security Council resolution that would have condemned its invasion of Ukraine. However, in doing so, the Kremlin did highlight the limited, at best, support it has internationally for its actions. Only Russia voted against the resolution. China, India, and the United Arab Emirates abstained and the remaining members all voted in favor. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497342249532895239 Separtely, the U.S. military and other members of NATO have pledged [to continue supplying weapons]() and other military aid to Ukraine's armed forces, including possible [additional unspecified air defense capabilities](). The alliance has also activated its Response Force for the first time ever in order to further reinforce areas of its eastern periphery with Russia against any potential aggression outside of Ukraine. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497315285413634052 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497267006801944590 All told, Russia's war in Ukraine looks far from over and the outcome of any future negotiations, if they even take place, remains to be seen. For his part, Nykyforov certainly appears to be holding out hope that this could provide a path to peaceful resolution of the conflict. We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. ***UPDATE: 9:30 PM EST—*** Ukraine's military states that it has also shot down a Russian helicopter and Su-25 by an S-300 air defense system. It also says the Il-76 was shot down with by a Su-27. The fact that any of these capabilities are still operational is remarkable: ![message-editor%2F1645842826354-screenshot2022-02-25at6.33.30pm.png]() **Facebook** There is also some chatter about another Il-76 being shot down, as well. It is possible that this is a case of confusion, we hope to find out more soon: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497389484362461187 It also says one of its units was attacked downtown Kyiv. It seems there has been sporadic fighting in the city, but it's very limited in nature with Russian forces appearing to have been stopped from advancing into the heart of the city. With most indications that Russia is looking to decapitate the government, the fight for the capital is pivotal: ![message-editor%2F1645842961464-screenshot2022-02-25at6.35.19pm.png]() **Facebook** https://twitter.com/_/status/1497403127955402756 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497386556453232643 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497344348509323278 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497347550936014858 One control map that is a few hours old, but gives some idea of what is going on across the country: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497328665209757699 ***UPDATE: 10:30 PM EST—*** There continues to be talk of a large airborne assault near Vasylkiv: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497408277478531076 The map below shows the supposed assault or probing action down Victory Avenue (north) and the airborne assault (south): ![message-editor%2F1645846530141-52f.jpg]() **Google Earth** https://twitter.com/_/status/1497403818572611591 There appears to be a slowdown in info coming out of the country that coincides with internet bandwidth degradation: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497417211706847233 Considering we know there is heavy fighting all over the country, and what was claimed to be an amphibious operation in Odessa, the fact that we are seeing almost no information coming out of these areas is telling. It looks like access to the internet is being manipulated. ***UPDATE: 11:07 PM EST—*** Clearly there is a major internet connectivity disruption: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497409488403505153 Things are calm for the moment on the west side of Kyiv where the fighting has been focused. Dawn would likely be the next interval. Rough translation: "On the Brest metro, the 101st Brigade destroyed a column: 2 cars, 2 trucks with tanks, a tank. Everything is calm, everyone is laid." https://twitter.com/_/status/1497422779586654208 This is what the burst of fighting sounded like about half an hour ago. Some said tracers were seen in the air so this could have been anti-aircraft artillery: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497422756874489858 ***UPDATE: 11:40 PM PST—*** Looks like two IL-76s were shot down. If they were loaded with airborne forces, that would be a huge loss of life. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497429523117350913 Zelensky is staying put: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497428052988641281 More U.S. military aid approved to Ukraine: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497428774169812992 ***UPDATE: 12:15 PM EST—*** We are getting some unconfirmed video and images of Russian forces and fighting in the southern Ukrainian city Melitopol, located near the northwestern reach of the the Sea of Azov: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497435195456303110 ***UPDATE: 1:30 AM EST—*** Zelinsky on the streets of Kyiv in broad daylight. Waiting for translation. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497451215378075648 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497452571098812419 There continue to be reports off attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, including the Border Guard Services's flagship: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497447198203596800 More strikes at Kyiv's nearby Zhuilany Airport: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497457307470467077 Footage *purporting* to show a Ukrainian soldier firing a MANPADS against a low-flying jet: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497459209964859393 A large residential tower hit in Kyiv: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497458517384613892 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497459597606461440 Russian MoD claims it has taken full control of the southern city of Melitopol: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497460312039120898 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497415742802874368 More footage from the strike on the building: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497469427670994948 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497467121227472898 More video said to be from Kyiv: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497464459794735109 More weapons headed to the Ukrainian forces: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497475793395585026 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497476806009659393 ***UPDATE: 5:15 AM EST—*** Some additional footage of the aftermath of strikes in Kyiv: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497511106918633475 The subway is apparently offline and the facilities are just being used as shelters now: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497511668758323202 There has been persistent talk of Russian armor being out of fuel and its soldiers hungry questioning Russia's supply chains in some areas. How widespread the issue is remains unknown. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497489360383479819 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497495357831323648 We see more images and videos of bridges demolished to halt Russian armor advances: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497478310720413697 Russia's take on their eastern offensive: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497477572703096837 MI6 flying the Ukrainian flag in London: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497225486086324263 New tally of how many Ukrainians have escaped to Poland: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497519075106426889 Zelensky on living to fight another day: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497516057350873090 Ukraine's assessment of the damage it has done to Russian forces and say they need help removing the bodies: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497448650003423235 ![message-editor%2F1645871672089-screenshot2022-02-26at2.08.33am.png]() **Facebook** They also put out a little explainer on identifying friendly and enemy armor: ![message-editor%2F1645871711282-screenshot2022-02-26at2.08.21am.png]() **Facebook** Russia claims 12,000 Chechens are ready to deploy to fight in Ukraine: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497511765336150019 Some sort of action overhead Vasylkiv, could be a formation of either side's aircraft, too. https://twitter.com/_/status/1497498221966348288 Air defenses in action: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497492367179407363 UK MoD update: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497520235179556864 Column destroyed along a Ukrainian highway: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497519980723716103 More proof of a major internet access disruption in Ukraine. A major decrease in videos and images coming out of the country underscores this. We have seen next to nothing from entire cities that have been seized: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497522456478769152 Another video of the strike on the tower: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497483903166148609 Two Global Hawks up over the Black Sea: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497523639092080644 What looks like an Mi-24 variant delivering rockets: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497523639092080644 Additional footage of abandoned fighting vehicles from both sides: https://twitter.com/_/status/1497524209228079107 https://twitter.com/_/status/1497524677648003083 ***UPDATE:*** We have concluded our updating of this story and are now continuing our rolling coverage of the war in Ukraine [**here.**]() *C**ontact the author: joe@thedrive.com* ### Author social links