MINSK, 27 October (BelTA) – The transcript of the conversation between the crew of the Belavia aircraft and the Ukrainian air traffic control indeed contains threats to deploy combat aircraft against the civilian plane, BelTA learned from Dmitry Mironchik, Head of the Information Office, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 27 October.
“We have a transcript of the conversation that pilots of the Belavia aircraft had with the Ukrainian air traffic control while on the way from Kiev to Minsk on 21 October. The document clearly states that combat air force will be employed if the Belarusian aircraft does not turn around and fly back to Kiev,” stressed Dmitry Mironchik. The transcript clearly indicates that the promise to employ combat air force did not originate from the air traffic control officer. The agency that had given the relevant instructions is specified.
The spokesman of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “All in all, we are a bit astonished by the stance of the Ukrainian side. Belarus has always pursued a good-neighborly and friendly policy towards Ukraine. The Ukrainian side might have achieved its goals without coercive actions against the aircraft. Mechanisms of bilateral cooperation between law enforcement agencies might have been used.”
The official stated that, unfortunately, there is absolutely no response to the situation from the Ukrainian side. “If there is still no response in the future, we will be forced to take steps including the publication of the transcript. But there is still time,” said the Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
BelTA reported earlier that an aircraft of the Belarusian air carrier Belavia was forced to return to the Kiev airport on 21 October. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft left the Kiev airport for Minsk at 15:25 with 136 passengers and six crew members on board. At 15:35 as little as 50km away from Belarusian air space the pilot was told to return to the Kiev airport immediately without any explanation. The Ukrainian air traffic control officer promised that jet fighters would be deployed if the pilot failed to comply. At 15:37 the Belarusian aircraft turned back and started descending. At 15:55 the Belarusian aircraft landed in the Kiev International Airport. After landing Ukrainian law enforcement officers led away one passenger, who is an Armenian citizen. After refueling the Belarusian aircraft left Kiev at 16:37 to land in the Minsk International Airport at 17:33. Ukrainian law enforcers released the Armenian citizen the same day. He left Kiev for Minsk at 19:00 on board of another Belavia aircraft. Later on the Belarusian air carrier Belavia stated it intends to seek compensation from the Ukrainian air traffic control company for the expenses incurred by flying the Belarusian aircraft back to Kiev.
On 22 October the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Charge d'affaires of Ukraine to Belarus Valery Dzhigun. The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission was given a note of protest to the Ukrainian authorities over the forced return of the Belarusian aircraft to Kiev.
