MISSILE DEBRIS

Missile Debris

Images of missile debris were photographed by Iranian citizens in the immediate aftermath of the incident, some of which are included herein. Photographs from the crash site on January 8, 2020 have been geolocated to a location near Khalajabad, southwest of Tehran.

The origin of the missile debris photographs could not be independently verified because those who took and posted the images online have not come forward publicly. Bellingcat noted that a missile “fragment” was likely located in a residential area near Parand,58 which is more than 40 km away from the main crash site near Khalajabad.

Image comparisons between the missile debris and known designs of the SA-15 missile demonstrate a high degree of correlation and the debris is likely authentic. The Iranian Flight PS752 Accident Investigation Final Report confirms that the air defence unit that shot down Flight PS752 was an SA-15 Gauntlet (also known as a Tor M1).59

Upon examination of all available video, geodata and photographic information, the Forensic Examination and Assessment Team assesses that Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was downed by at least one surface-to-air missile fired from an Iranian SA15 anti-aircraft system. The extent of damage caused by the second missile could not be confirmed.

Figure 9: T-Intelligence. Unverified photos of debris from missile likely fired at Flight PS752 Figure 10: Weapons Systems.net – An example of an intact Tor M-1/2 9M330 missile