MOSCOW: Russia said that that all 65 Ukrainian prisoners on board a Russian military plane crashed in the Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Wednesday.
The cause of the crash in the snowy, rural area remains unclear. Governor Gladkov did not specify the number or identities of the individuals on the plane. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the prisoners of war were en-route to a border region for a potential exchange when it crashed near the border with Ukraine.
Social media footage captured the plane plummeting from the sky, followed by a massive fire upon impact. Emergency services, including firefighters and ambulances, swiftly responded to the crash site in the Korochansky district of Belgorod.
Unsubstantiated claims by two Russian lawmakers suggested that the plane might have been brought down by missiles launched by Ukrainian forces. Governor Gladkov had issued a “missile alert” in the region shortly before the crash, urging residents to seek shelter.
IL-76 carrying Ukrainian POWs crashes in Belgorod region – Russian MoDhttps://t.co/do6MamDcza pic.twitter.com/8Xfzt7Gz21
— RT (@RT_com) January 24, 2024
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War stated that it is investigating the incident but cautioned against sharing unverified information. They highlighted ongoing information operations by the enemy to destabilize Ukrainian society.
A special military commission was dispatched to the crash site, with the Russian Defense Ministry reporting that, along with the prisoners of war, three accompanying individuals and six crew members were on board. Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, refrained from commenting on the crash due to insufficient information.
The crashed plane, designed for troop transport and military cargo, is capable of carrying up to 225 troops, according to Russia’s military export agency. The Russian air force has faced multiple crashes, possibly linked to increased flight activity during the Ukraine conflict.
The report also touched on recent developments in the conflict, including a major Russian missile attack in Ukraine that resulted in casualties and damage to residential areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for strengthened air defense and increased military aid from Western allies.
The text also highlighted Russia’s denial of targeting civilian areas, allegations of using decoy missiles, and the downing of Ukrainian drones.
Despite stretched resources, Ukraine’s allies, including the United States, have pledged continued military aid. The German defense ministry announced plans to send six SEA KING Mk41 multi-role helicopters to Ukraine.
