A Russian plane transporting 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed near the Russia-Ukraine border on Wednesday, killing everyone on board, according to Russian state media RIA Novosti, quoting the Defence Ministry.
An Il-76 of the Russian Aerospace Forces, carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war being transferred for exchange, together with six crew members and three escorts, crashed at 11 a.m. local time, according to a statement from Russia's Defence Ministry, which was cited by the Russian News Agency TASS.
Everybody on board a transport plane died after it crashed in a field close to a populated area, according to a statement made on Telegram by the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.
Video | Russian Military Plane Carrying 65 Ukrainian Prisoners Of War Crashes
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The Russian IL-76
Rodion Miroshnik, a Russian Foreign Ministry officer, accused Ukraine of shooting down the airliner in Telegram posts. Then, the claims were disseminated through TASS's Telegram account. TIME contacted the defence ministry of Ukraine and the foreign and defence ministries of Russia for comment, but was unable to verify the details independently.
The Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War in Ukraine said on Telegram that it was gathering and examining data and advised reporters to use caution. The agency stated, "We stress that the enemy is actively carrying out information operations against Ukraine intending to destabilise Ukrainian society."
The Russian IL-76 is intended to transport soldiers, supplies, and war hardware via air, including ammunition, howitzers, and tanks. The aircraft was produced by Ilyushin and entered service during the USSR's existence in the 1970s. The plane was intended to replace the An-12 (Antonov 12). The Indian Air Force also operates the aircraft, which comes in both military and civilian versions. The Indian Air Force's (IAF) C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules are US-based aircraft, whereas the IAF's ageing IL-76 fleet is restricted.
Image Source: BBC
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