The Antonov that crashed in Greece was not carrying weapons bound for Ukraine, but for Bangladesh
On Saturday, an Antonov 12 cargo plane, owned by Ukrainian company meridian LTD, crashed near the town of Paleochori Kavalas in northern Greece. All eight crew members perished in the crash, Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said on Sunday.
The plane was carrying around 11 tonnes of weaponry, including illumination mortar mines, bound for Bangladesh, the minister said. The exporter of these armaments is the private Serbian company Valir.
“As for the identity of the crew, I think they are also Ukrainians, but we have no information about this, they are not Serbs”said Mr. Stefanovic during a press conference.
The Minister insisted that it was an agreed transaction with the Ministry of Defense of Bangladesh “in accordance with international rules”. “Unfortunately some media have speculated that this flight was allegedly transporting weapons to Ukraine, which is completely false”did he declare.
According to the minister, the majority of the cargo planes that transport armaments are of Soviet production and in the possession of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
“Apart from the fact that they are the property of Ukrainian companies, no other link exists between these goods and Ukraine”assured the minister.