Russia's Defense Ministry on Wednesday accused Ukrainian forces of shooting down a military transport plane, resulting in the death of all 74 people aboard, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war intended for a swap, news agency Associated Press (AP) reported.
As per the report, the Ukrainian officials are yet to confirm or deny Russia's claims regarding the crash in Russia's Belgorod border region, stating that they are investigating the matter.
The Associated Press could not independently verify details about the passengers or the circumstances leading to the plane crash. Conflicting accusations between Russia and Ukraine have been common throughout the 700-day war, making it challenging to establish facts amid the constraints of a war zone, the report added.
Social media footage depicted the plane crashing in a snowy rural area, with a massive fireball erupting upon impact, the report said.
The Il-76 transport, in addition to the 65 POWs, carried a crew of six and three other passengers, as per the Russian military, according to the report. The ministry alleged that two missiles were launched from Ukraine's Kharkiv region, bordering Belgorod, but provided no evidence.
Emergency services, including firefighters and police, rushed to the crash site in the Korochansky district of Belgorod, AP reported citing state news agency Tass.
The Russian military stated that the POWs were en route for a prisoner swap when the plane was shot down at 11:15 AM local time, the report said.
As per the report, Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andrii Yusov acknowledged a planned prisoner swap on Wednesday but noted that it was not proceeding. The agency is verifying whether Ukrainian POWs were aboard the plane. The crossing where the swap was scheduled, Kolotilovka, lies approximately 135 kilometers west of Yablonovo, near the crash site, it added.
The crash occurred amid increased tensions and cross-border attacks between Russia's Belgorod region and Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
Both Russia and Ukraine have experienced aircraft crashes during the war, with observers attributing them to the heightened number of flights.
Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War urged caution against sharing unverified information, emphasizing that the enemy conducts information special operations to destabilize Ukrainian society.
A special military commission from Russia's Defense Ministry is en route to the crash site. President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, refrained from commenting, citing a lack of information, the report said.
After 700 days of the Kremlin's forces entering Ukraine, the 1,500-kilometer front line remains largely static due to icy weather conditions. The war has shifted focus to long-range strikes as both sides aim to replenish their weapons stockpiles.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a major Russian missile attack that resulted in 18 fatalities and 130 injuries. The attack utilized over 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft, and guided missiles, targeting residential buildings in three Ukrainian cities.
Zelenskyy urged Western allies to provide more military aid, emphasising the need to strengthen air defense to protect cities and frontline positions. According to AP, analysts suggest Russia may have stockpiled missiles for a winter aerial campaign, while Ukraine seeks to employ new drone tactics.
The Institute for the Study of War in Washington suggested Russia may have used decoy missiles in the recent attack to exploit weaknesses in Ukraine's air defenses, according to the report. Russia is allegedly seeking additional ballistic missiles from foreign countries, including Iran and North Korea.
A Ukrainian drone was reportedly downed over the Belgorod border region on Wednesday, with no reported casualties or damage.
Despite stretched resources, Ukraine's allies, including the United States, have pledged continued military aid. Germany announced plans to send six SEA KING Mk41 multi-role helicopters to Ukraine, contributing to a total military delivery of approximately 6 billion euros since the conflict's onset.