All 74 Passengers Including POWs & Crew Members Killed in Russian Military Plane Crash

A Russian military transport aircraft carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and nine others has crashed near the Ukrainian border, leaving all 74 passengers and crew dead. The incident has sparked accusations and tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the cause of the crash still under investigation.

Local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the crash on Telegram, stating that the plane went down in a field near a village in the Korochansky district. Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed the aircraft, an IL-76 cargo plane, was part of a pre-planned flight transporting POWs to the Belgorod region for exchange. They further alleged, without providing evidence, that Ukrainian forces shot down the plane using missiles.

However, Ukraine has cautioned against unverified information, emphasizing that Russia engages in “information special operations” to destabilize Ukrainian society. Ukrainian authorities are investigating the crash but haven’t confirmed the cause. The Kremlin acknowledged the situation but didn’t elaborate.

Adding to the complexity, the Belgorod region has witnessed frequent attacks from Ukraine in recent months, including a deadly December missile strike. This proximity to the ongoing conflict and lack of definitive information fuel the accusations and uncertainty surrounding the crash.