Iran special representative to arrive in Ukraine soon – Prystaiko

A special representative of the Iranian government will arrive in Ukraine soon to provide clarification on the crash of a UIA passenger plane.
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko stated this in the Verkhovna Rada on Friday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

“In the near future, I think at the beginning of next week, a special representative of the Iranian government will come to Ukraine with an official apology and clarification,” Prystaiko said.

He also told MPs about the creation of a procedure that would allow Ukraine to hold Iran accountable and resolve “all very complicated, very sensitive issues with our citizens."

“I spoke with the Iranian minister yesterday. As of today, we have full cooperation with Iran. At the same time, certain mechanisms have been created such as joint work, a joint criminal investigation team, and a group that search the ways to increase international pressure on Iran. That is, we have all the mechanisms in our hands to pressure and receive not only apologies, but also all compensation for our citizens,” Prystaiko said.

On January 8, Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew members on board. The victims include 11 nationals of Ukraine (two passengers and nine crew members) and nationals of Canada, Iran, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and UK.

Previously, the Iranian side stated that the crash had been caused by technical problems.

On January 11, Iran announced that its military “unintentionally” shot down the Ukrainian aircraft. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accepted full responsibility for the downing of the Ukrainian plane.