Belgorod, Russia – Accusations fly between Ukraine and Russia after a plane crash in the Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that Moscow is “playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners,” while Russia insists the plane was downed by Kyiv. The incident occurred during an attempted prisoner exchange, with 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, six Russian crew, and three escorts onboard the ill-fated Il-76 aircraft.
Zelensky demands an international inquiry into the crash and highlights the need to establish all clear facts surrounding the incident. He accuses Russia of endangering the lives of the prisoners and manipulating the emotions of Ukrainian society. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounces the downing of the plane as a “monstrous act” and suggests an international inquiry into the actions of the Kyiv regime.
The Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) acknowledges that it had not been informed to ensure safe airspace, implying the possibility that Ukraine shot down the plane. However, GUR emphasizes that it lacks reliable information about the passengers and suggests that Russia may have been involved in planned and deliberate actions.
Video footage circulating on social media captures the plane’s descent, explosion, and subsequent fireball. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Belgorod regional governor, confirms that there were no survivors and that the crash occurred in a field near a residential area. Details about those onboard cannot be independently verified, but Ukraine’s military intelligence states that it was Russia’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the prisoners.
The incident adds to the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, who have engaged in prisoner swaps throughout the conflict. Russian missiles targeted Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv, from the Belgorod region in recent days, resulting in casualties. Propaganda efforts from both sides continue to fuel the animosity, with Ukraine’s air force chief warning that Russia’s means of aerial attacks can be destroyed.
Russia’s war in Ukraine approaches its third year, with thousands of Ukrainians still being held by Russia. The city of Belgorod, located near the border, has faced numerous casualties from air strikes and drones since the conflict began. As the situation unfolds, it is clear that tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate, with each side blaming the other for this latest tragedy.