A Russian military plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed in Russia’s Belgorod region, with no survivors reported. The crash occurred during a planned prisoner exchange between the two countries, further straining relations between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the plane was allegedly shot down by missiles fired from the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, resulting in the deaths not only of the prisoners but also of six crew members and three escorts. Russian authorities have condemned the incident as a “terrorist act” and accused Ukraine of being responsible.
Both Ukraine and the Russian-backed separatists who control Donetsk have denied involvement in the crash. Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmitro Lubinets is investigating the matter and has urged the media to refrain from spreading false news.
The Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, has seen ongoing violence and airstrikes amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries. In December, 25 civilians were killed and more than 100 injured in an airstrike, which Ukraine attributed to Russian air defenses.
Following this tragic event, an air alert has been declared throughout Ukraine. Russian authorities have also claimed that a second plane carrying 80 Ukrainian prisoners was diverted, casting doubt on possible future prisoner exchanges.
With tensions already high between Russia and Ukraine, this incident will only increase the strained relations between the two countries. As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths of these prisoners of war.
With information from BBC News