Russia Claims Ukraine Shot Down Plane Carrying 65 POWs

The Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday alleged that Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian military transport plane, resulting in the deaths of all 74 people on board. This included 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were part of a swap. The crash occurred in Russia’s Belgorod border region, but Ukrainian officials have yet to confirm or deny these claims. The Associated Press could not independently verify the details of the incident or the occupants of the plane due to the challenges of reporting in a war zone and controlled information from both sides.

Social media videos showed the plane crashing in a rural area, followed by a massive explosion. The Russian military stated that the plane, carrying a crew of six, three passengers, and the POWs, was hit by two missiles launched from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, bordering Belgorod. Emergency responders rushed to the crash site in Belgorod’s Korochansky district.

The plane, an Il-76 transport, was flying from the Chkalovsky airfield near Moscow to the Belgorod region for a prisoner swap scheduled at the Kolotilovka crossing on the Russian-Ukrainian border. The Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman confirmed that a prisoner swap was planned but did not proceed. Investigations are underway to determine if Ukrainian POWs were on the plane.

The regions of Kharkiv in Ukraine and Belgorod in Russia have been significant focuses of the conflict, particularly involving airstrikes. Russia has maintained air dominance but has experienced several crashes, attributed by some observers to increased flight activity.

Cross-border attacks on Belgorod have escalated, with a deadly strike in December killing 25 people. Prior to the crash, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported a missile alert and advised residents to seek shelter. Ukraine’s POW coordination headquarters is investigating the crash but advises caution against unverified information.

The Russian Defense Ministry has dispatched a special commission to the crash site, and President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman stated he could not comment due to limited information. The Il-76 is capable of carrying troops, cargo, and military equipment.

As the war’s front line remains static, both sides are focusing on long-range strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a Russian missile attack killing 18 and injuring 130, targeting residential areas. This attack has reinforced Zelenskyy’s calls for increased Western military aid, particularly for air defense.

Analysts suggest Russia is stockpiling missiles for aerial bombardment, while Ukraine seeks to strike inside Russia with advanced drones. The Institute for the Study of War indicates Russia might be seeking ballistic missiles from foreign countries.

In Kharkiv, a Russian missile barrage injured nine and damaged buildings. Russia consistently denies targeting civilians, but evidence suggests otherwise. Additionally, Russian air defenses reportedly downed Ukrainian drones in the Oryol and Belgorod regions, with no casualties or damage reported.

Ukraine’s allies continue to pledge military support, with Germany announcing plans to send six Sea King Mk41 helicopters to Ukraine.