On January 24, 2024, a Russian Ilyushin-76 military transport plane crashed in the southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine. The plane was reportedly carrying 65 captured Ukrainian military personnel for a possible prisoner exchange, according to Russia’s Ministry of Defence. The details surrounding the passengers on board have not been independently verified.
Ria Novosti news agency reported that the plane also carried nine other individuals, including six crew members. However, Ukraine’s general staff mentioned that the plane was transporting missiles for Russia’s S-300 air defence systems, with no mention of prisoners of war.
Videos shared on social media showed the plane going down near the village of Yablonovo in the Belgorod region, followed by an explosion and fireball. The regional governor confirmed that the plane crashed in a field near a residential area and that all on board had perished.
Initial reports from Ukrainian media suggested that the plane may have been downed by Ukrainian forces, but these reports were later deleted. Ukraine’s general staff stated that it was investigating the circumstances and did not have precise information about the situation.
The incident has sparked a nationwide air raid alert in Ukraine, with historic tensions between Russia and Ukraine being a significant factor. Belgorod, located near the border with Ukraine, has previously suffered casualties from air strikes and drones since the conflict in Ukraine began. In December, an air strike led to 25 deaths and 100 injuries, with Ukraine blaming Russian air defences for the incident.
The crash of the Ilyushin-76 has raised concerns and triggered investigations from both Ukrainian and Russian authorities. It remains a developing story, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.