On January 24, 2024, Russia alleged that Ukraine shot down a military transport plane, resulting in the tragic death of all 74 people on board, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war. The aircraft was en route to Belgorod for a scheduled prisoner exchange at the border when it was reportedly brought down in what the Kremlin labeled a “terrorist act.”
The Russian Defense Ministry, in a statement, claimed that the Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, performing a routine flight, was targeted by an anti-aircraft missile system. Among the casualties were six crew members, 65 Ukrainian military personnel designated for the exchange, and three Russian military personnel accompanying them.
According to the ministry, Russian radar systems observed the launch of two Ukrainian missiles, alleging that Ukraine’s government was aware of the established flight path for military transport aircraft involved in planned prisoner swaps.
Ukrainian officials cautioned against sharing unverified information but did not immediately deny the accusations. The two nations have been exchanging conflicting accusations throughout the ongoing war, which is nearing its two-year mark.
Russia accused Ukraine of not informing them about the need to ensure airspace safety over Belgorod, as was allegedly done in the past. The Ukrainian military, in response, highlighted its efforts to protect the country and its citizens, emphasizing its control over airspace and monitoring missile launch points.
Despite the tragedy, Ukraine’s military intelligence service asserted that the planned exchange of prisoners did not occur and suggested they were not reliably informed about the passengers on the plane.
As both countries regularly engage in prisoner exchanges, the incident further complicates an already strained relationship. Russian officials have accused Kyiv of carrying out recent strikes on regions across western Russia, while Ukrainian authorities maintain their commitment to ensuring the safety of their airspace.
The international community awaits further investigations to determine the veracity of the claims, as tensions escalate amid the tragic events surrounding the downed military plane
