A military transport plane, believed to be carrying 74 individuals, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war for a potential exchange, crashed near the Ukraine border. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the unfortunate incident, yet details about the crash’s cause and specific passengers remain unclear.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the POWs were en route to the border for a prisoner exchange. Disturbing footage on social media captured the plane plummeting in a snowy, rural area, resulting in a fiery impact. Emergency services rushed to the Korochansky district of Belgorod.

Amid speculations, two Russian lawmakers suggested, without evidence, that Ukrainian forces might have downed the plane with missiles. Governor Gladkov had issued a missile alert before the crash.

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War is investigating the incident but cautioned against sharing unverified information. A military commission is en route to the crash site, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The aircraft, designed for troop transport, suffered a tragic fate, raising concerns about the Russian air force’s recent string of crashes. President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, refrained from commenting due to insufficient information.

As the conflict in Ukraine persists, the dynamics have shifted towards long-range strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a major Russian missile attack, emphasizing the need for strengthened air defense.

In response to escalating tensions, Russia has denied striking civilian areas, while Ukraine’s allies, including the United States, continue to provide military aid packages. Germany recently announced plans to send six SEA KING Mk41 multi-role helicopters to Ukraine, despite challenges in international cooperation.

Credit: AP