Russian military plane carrying prisoners crashes, accuses Ukraine of being shot down by a Western missile | Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) – A military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed near the Ukrainian border on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The plane was being transported for a prisoner exchange and was shot down by a Ukrainian missile.

The crashed Ilyushin (IL) 76 had 74 people on board, including Ukrainian prisoners, six crew members and three security guards. All died, according to local authorities.

“We need time to review all the data,” “We will need time to review all the data,” “We will not comment until a little later,” Podlyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, told Reuters. .

“The Ukrainian leadership was aware that, according to established practice, Ukrainian soldiers would be transported that day by military transport planes to Belgorod airport for the exchange of (prisoners of war),” the Russian Defense Ministry said. “According to previous agreements, the prisoner exchange was supposed to take place this afternoon at the Korochilovka checkpoint on the Russian-Ukrainian border. “It disrespected people’s lives.”

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that radar had detected the launch of two Ukrainian missiles at the time of the plane’s crash.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the attack, calling it a “barbaric act.”

Russian state media later published the names and dates of birth of the 65 Ukrainian soldiers said to be on board the crashed plane.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that a military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners who were to be exchanged for Russian prisoners crashed near the Ukrainian border on the 24th. Video from social media in the Belgorod region. (Reuters 2024)

Andrei Kartapolov, a retired military officer and member of the Russian parliament with close ties to the Defense Ministry, accused Ukraine in a television interview of “deliberately trying to disrupt the prisoner exchange.” He said three American or German-made missiles shot him down.

Reuters did not confirm the identities of the passengers.

Belgorod Governor Gladkov said the plane crashed in the Kolochansky district northeast of the city of Belgorod, killing all on board.

Andriy Yusov, spokesman for the Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (GRU), confirmed to Radio Svoboda that the prisoner exchange was scheduled for the 24th. However, he stated that “there is no prisoner exchange taking place at the moment “.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request.

Ukrainian newspaper Ukraine Pravda initially reported, citing military sources, that Ukraine had shot down the plane because it was equipped with S-300 missiles. However, the claim was later corrected, stating that it had not been confirmed by other sources.

The I76 is a transport aircraft that carries military personnel and supplies and typically has a crew of five, but can carry up to 90 people.

Belgorod Oblast has been subject to frequent attacks by Ukraine in recent months, including a rocket attack in December that killed 25 people.

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2024-01-24 15:49:10
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