Military plane carrying 74 passengers, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners, crashes in Russia
A Russian military transport plane carrying 74 passengers, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners, crashed this Wednesday (24) in Belgorod, a Russian city near the border with Ukraine. When it crashed, the plane exploded and everyone on board was killed.
According to a Russian MP The plane was shot down by three missiles.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the aircraft was transporting Ukrainian prisoners of war for exchange as part of a rescue operation. The defense did not provide further details about this exchange. In addition to the 65 Ukrainians, there were also six crew members and three other people on board the plane who have not yet been identified.
The aircraft is an Il76 model designed for military transport of troops, cargo, military equipment and weapons. The normal crew consists of five people and can carry up to 90 passengers.
Belgorod's local governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said an unspecified “incident” had occurred in Korochansky district, northeast of the city of Belgorod, and that he was on his way to inspect the site. He said investigators and rescue workers were already at the scene.
The Kremlin is investigating the situation.
1 in 1 plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners crashes in Russia; 74 die. — Photo: Reproduction/Portal Plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners crashes in Russia; 74 die. — Photo: Reproduction/Portal
This report will be updated.