In a tragic incident, an Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane has reportedly crashed in the Belgorod region, allegedly targeted by Ukrainian air strikes. The Russian Ministry of Defence has accused Ukraine of shooting down the military transport plane, resulting in the deaths of 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and nine others. Belgorod, located near the border with Ukraine, has been subject to recent Ukrainian air strikes.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that radars detected the launch of two Ukrainian missiles, although no evidence was provided to support this claim. An official at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the downing of the aircraft a “barbaric” act. According to state news agency RIA Novosti, the Defence Ministry stated that the plane was carrying 65 captured Ukrainian army servicemen, six crew members, and three escorts.
Andrei Kartapolov, a Russian MP affiliated with the defence ministry, alleged that the plane was deliberately targeted by three missiles of either US or German manufacture, with the intention of sabotaging a prisoner exchange. The Kremlin has stated that it is investigating the reports, while Kyiv has chosen not to comment until more information is gathered. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War stated that they are looking into the crash and urged caution in sharing unverified information, highlighting the enemy’s active information special operations aimed at destabilising Ukraine.
Video footage shared on Telegram by Baza, a channel linked to Russian security services, shows the large aircraft falling and exploding in a massive fireball. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the incident on social media, stating that emergency workers and investigators had already arrived at the site in the Korochansky district. He also sadly announced that everyone on board, including the POWs, six crew members, and three guards, had perished.
The Il-76 transport plane is designed for various military purposes, including the airlift of troops, cargo, military equipment, and weapons. It typically has a crew of five and can accommodate up to 90 passengers. This incident follows previous accusations between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia accusing Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist attack” in Belgorod last December, resulting in the deaths of 25 people. Last week, the Kremlin accused Kyiv of an attack on the occupied city of Donetsk, claiming the lives of 27 people. Ukraine has denied these allegations.
The investigation into the plane crash is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
