A plane of Russian origin, transporting 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (PoW), reportedly crashed in the Belgorod region on Wednesday, as confirmed by the authorities.
Russian media has reported that a military aircraft with 74 individuals on board has crashed in the Belgorod region of Russia, near the Ukrainian border. The region’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed that all those on board tragically lost their lives. Investigators and emergency workers were already on the scene, he added.
Emergency response teams, including firefighters, ambulances, and police, swiftly mobilized to the crash site in the Korochansky district of Belgorod, according to state news agency Tass, quoting a local emergency services official
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the occupants of the plane. According to Russian state media, 65 Ukrainian servicemen were on board, being transported to Belgorod for an anticipated prisoner swap.
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Ukraine asserts that the IL-76 involved in the Belgorod crash was carrying missiles intended for the S-300 air defense system, as reported by the official Ukrainian information service, citing a source within the Ukrainian armed forces.
“At approximately 11 am Moscow time (0800 GMT), an IL-76 aircraft crashed in the Belgorod region during a routine flight,” reported AFP, citing Moscow’s defense ministry.
The report stated, “On board were 65 captured Ukrainian army servicemen being transported to the Belgorod region for exchange, along with six crew members and three escorts.”
In the meantime, Russia contends that the plane was carrying prisoners of war (POWs). However, AFP, citing local media in Ukraine, reported that Ukrainian defense forces downed the aircraft, stating it was transporting missiles for the S-300 surface-to-air defense system and not POWs. Russia’s parliament speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, has accused Kyiv of shooting down the plane carrying prisoners of war.
“They shot their own soldiers in the air. Their own,” stated Volodin during a plenary session with lawmakers. “Our pilots, who were carrying out a humanitarian mission, were shot down.”
The crash took place in the Korochansky district, northeast of the region’s capital, as confirmed by regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram.
“Now an investigation team and emergency services are working on the site. I have adjusted my working schedule and traveled to the district,” remarked Gladkov.
The Russian IL-76 is specifically designed for airlifting troops, cargo, and military equipment such as tanks, howitzers, and ammunition. Manufactured by Ilyushin, the aircraft entered service in the 1970s during the existence of the USSR. Originally intended to replace the An-12 (Antonov 12), the IL-76 has both civil and military variants and is also utilized by the Indian Air Force.
The IL-76 fleet within the Indian Air Force is limited and aging. To address modern transport requirements, the IAF has integrated new platforms such as the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules, both of which are of U.S. origin.