A Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport jet crashed near the Ukrainian border on Wednesday, according to official news agency RIA. The defense ministry said it was transporting 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war to be swapped for Russian hostages.
According to the defense ministry, which was reported by RIA, the aircraft crashed while carrying 74 passengers, including three guards and six crew members. The cause was unknown for the time being.
During a parliamentary session, former general and Russian parliamentarian Andrei Kartapolov claimed that three missiles had brought down the aircraft. He omitted to mention where he got his knowledge.
Details of the passengers could not be immediately confirmed by reports, although Russia and Ukraine frequently exchange prisoners of war. Requests for response from the Ukrainian air force and ministry of defense were not immediately answered.
Local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov says that an unspecified “incident” had occurred in the region’s Korochansky district, northeast of Belgorod city, and that he was going to inspect the site. He said investigators and emergency workers were already on the scene.
The Il-76 is a military transport plane used for the airlifting of personnel, supplies, weaponry, and equipment. It can accommodate up to 90 passengers and typically has a crew of five.
The bordering area of Belgorod, which is part of Ukraine, has seen many attacks in recent months, including a missile strike in December that claimed 25 lives.
