The Russian Ministry of Defense has labeled the missile strike by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on a military transport plane, Il-76, carrying Ukrainian prisoners as a terrorist act. According to the Ministry, this incident occurred at 11:15 am, and it was carried out by the Kiev regime. The aircraft was en route from Chkalovsky Aerodrome to Belgorod for the purpose of transporting Ukrainian servicemen for exchange.
Representatives from the Russian Ministry of Defense mentioned that an agreement had been reached with the Ukrainian side regarding the exchange. Kiev was informed about the aircraft to be used and the destinations they would be flying to. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense revealed that the planned exchange was scheduled to take place at the Kolotilovka checkpoint on the Russian-Ukrainian border.
The Russian Ministry of Defense believes that Kiev orchestrated this act of terrorism in an attempt to artificially create a tragedy and blame Russia for it.
Prior to this, Victor Bondarev, the First Deputy Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the Federation Council, stated that the crew of the downed Il-76 aircraft over the Belgorod region had managed to report an abnormal situation.
Earlier, there were discussions in the State Duma about the suspension of prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
