74 dead in Russian military plane crash

Russian plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war has crashed near border, Moscow says

A Russian military aircraft crashed Wednesday in the Belgorod region of western Russia, resulting in the death of all 74 individuals on board, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, Russian officials announced.

The crash involved an Il-76 military transport aircraft, which was also carrying six crew members and three accompanying persons, according to Russia’s Ministry of Defense. The aircraft was en route to the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, as part of a prisoner exchange process, the ministry stated.

“There were 65 captured servicemen of the armed forces of Ukraine on board, 6 crew members of the aircraft and 3 escorts,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

As of yet, Ukrainian officials have not provided comments or confirmation regarding the crash or the reported prisoner exchange.

The circumstances leading up to the crash remain unclear, and the Russian Ministry of Defense has not released further details. The incident adds another layer of complexity to the already tense relations between Russia and Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts.

Investigations are expected to follow, seeking to determine the cause of the crash and the fate of the planned prisoner exchange.

Source: Newsroom

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