Ukrainians call for Iran to take responsibility for downed plane

Relatives and colleagues of those killed when a Ukrainian plane was downed by Iran almost a year ago gathered on Tuesday to watch an investigation film into the incident.

Ukraine International Airlines UIA Flight 752 was shot down on 8 January 2020 near the Iranian capital of Tehran killing 176 people.

Iran initially denied downing the aircraft but changed course days later, after Western nations presented extensive evidence that it had shot down the plane.

Iran's initial claims that engine failure brought down the plane angered Ukrainians, who also say Iran should pay compensation and should be more forthcoming about the circumstances.

Director Leonid Kanfer held a private screening of the film, titled Romeo's Fatality Mystery, for families and colleagues of the victims.

He said it aimed to answer the questions of the tragedy.

Following the screening head of UIA trade union Oleksandr Polianskiy, who also trained the pilots who died onboard the aircraft, called on Iran to take full responsibility for the incident and admit why they targeted the plane.

The crash occurred just hours after Iran fired missiles at a base in Iraq where US troops are stationed, in retaliation for US drones killing Iran's most powerful general.