Kuchma on the downed russian TU-154 aircraft

8 October 2001, Poland.

Commentary by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma on the crash of a Sibir Airlines Tu-154 aircraft over the Black Sea.

Reference: The crash of the Sibir Airlines Tu-154 occurred on 4 October 2001 over the Black Sea as a result of being hit by an S-200 missile during Ukrainian Air Force exercises. Seventy-eight people were killed, most of them Israeli citizens. Ukraine acknowledged its responsibility and paid compensation, and the criminal case was subsequently closed without bringing any officials to justice.