Russian Il-76 crashes near Belgorod: Moscow says it carried 65 Ukrainian POWs, Kyiv calls for investigation

A Russian Air Force Il-76 military transport plane crashed on January 24 at around 11:15 Moscow time near the village of Yablonovo in Belgorod Oblast, close to the Ukrainian border. According to Russian authorities, 74 people were aboard, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war being flown for an exchange, six crew and three escorts. There were no survivors.

Russia's Defence Ministry says the plane was brought down by two missiles fired from the Lyptsi area of Kharkiv Oblast, citing radar data. A terrorism investigation has been opened.

Kyiv: no confirmation

Ukraine has not confirmed that prisoners were aboard. The General Staff did not claim responsibility for the crash but said Russian transport aircraft carrying missiles for S-300 systems are legitimate military targets. Military intelligence (HUR) said an exchange had been planned for that day but that Russia, contrary to previous practice, had not requested safe airspace.

"It is obvious that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, calling for an international investigation.