Kyiv: A Russian Ilyushin II-76 transport plane carrying missiles and soldiers was shot down by Ukrainian forces in the Belgorod region, killing all 74 people on board, media reported.
However, Russia insisted that the plane was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war, not missiles.
Russia’s Defense Ministry on Wednesday accused Ukraine of using Kiev’s anti-aircraft missile system to shoot down an Ilyushin II-76 transport plane.
According to media reports, Kiev has so far not commented on Moscow’s claims, which have been reported by Russian authorities since shortly after news of the crash broke.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said: “At 11:15 a.m. today, the Kiev regime committed a terrorist act, as a result of which a Russian military transport plane that was flying over Chkalovsky-Belgorod airfield to transport Ukrainian military personnel for exchange. was shot down,” he said.
“The aircraft was destroyed by the Ukrainian military from the Liptsi region of Kharkiv region using an anti-aircraft missile system,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Radar equipment of the Russian Aerospace Forces detected the launch of two Ukrainian missiles.”
Russia claims the plane was carrying prisoners, while Ukraine claims it was carrying missiles. However, Russian media reported that the military plane with 74 people on board crashed in Russia’s Belgorod region, near the border with Ukraine. The region’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said all on board were killed.
However, there are conflicting reports about who or what was on board. Russian state media reported that the plane had 65 Ukrainian military personnel on board and was heading to Belgorod ahead of the prisoner exchange. Ukraine’s government intelligence service, citing Ukrainian military officials, said the plane was carrying missiles for the S-300 air defense system.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that neither claim could be independently verified. The airline has asked Ukraine for comment on the alleged downing of the plane.
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