Russian Transport Plane Carrying 65 Ukrainian Prisoners Crashes

Survivors and Cause of Accident Unclear
Missile Shootdown Theory Also Emerges

A Russian Air Force transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed.

According to major foreign media including the Associated Press (AP), on the 24th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that an Ilyushin (IL)-76 transport plane crashed in Belgorod, Russia, near the border area.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the transport plane was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war being transferred for exchange, along with 6 crew members and 3 escort personnel. It has not been revealed whether there are any survivors or the cause of the accident. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that the Air Force investigation committee was dispatched to the site to determine the cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, there are suspicions that the transport plane was shot down by three missiles. Earlier that morning, a missile alert was issued in the Belgorod region.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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