Ukrainian President Accuses Russia of Endangering Lives in Military Plane Crash
In a shocking turn of events, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners following the tragic crash of a military transport plane. The Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft went down in the Russian border region of Belgorod, resulting in the loss of all lives on board. While Moscow blamed Ukraine for the incident, Zelenskyy condemned Russia for endangering the lives of Ukrainian prisoners and manipulating the emotions of their families and society.
Zelenskyy, in his Wednesday evening address, expressed his concerns over the situation. He did not confirm or deny Russia’s claims but acknowledged that it had been a challenging day. The Ukrainian President emphasized the need to establish clear facts surrounding the incident, acknowledging the limitations imposed by the crash occurring on Russian territory, beyond their control.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the plane was hit while traveling from a military aerodrome near Moscow to Belgorod. The region of Belgorod has been targeted by Ukrainian air strikes in recent weeks, prompting the ministry to claim, without providing evidence, that radars detected the launch of two Ukrainian missiles.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated, “On board were 65 captured Ukrainian army servicemen being transported to the Belgorod region for exchange, six crew members, and three escorts.” However, it did not provide any evidence to support this claim. Shortly after the incident, the Ukrainian military reported observing more Russian military transport aircraft landing in Belgorod, which they linked to continued Russian missile strikes on Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities.
In response to these developments, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk asserted Ukraine’s right to defend itself and destroy the means of aerial attacks by aggressors. Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced its investigation into the reports on the plane crash, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to determine the reasons behind what Russia deemed a “Ukrainian criminal act.”
President Zelenskyy also called for an international investigation into the crash, seeking impartiality and transparency in determining the truth. However, Ukraine’s intelligence agency admitted to having no reliable or comprehensive information regarding the passengers on board the ill-fated plane. Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, highlighted that the planned prisoner exchange would not proceed as scheduled.
Military intelligence further revealed that Ukraine had not been asked to ensure airspace security around Belgorod, unlike previous swaps, and had not been informed about the means of transport or routes to be used. These revelations led to speculation that Russia deliberately aimed to destabilize the situation in Ukraine and weaken international support for the country.
A video posted on Telegram by Baza, a channel linked to Russian security services, showed the tragic moment when the large aircraft plummeted and exploded in a fireball. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the devastating outcome, stating that emergency workers and investigators had already arrived at the crash site in the Korochansky district of Belgorod Oblast. He expressed his condolences, revealing that the plane had fallen in a field near a populated area, resulting in the loss of all lives on board.
The Ilyushin Il-76 is a versatile aircraft designed for troop transportation, cargo delivery, and carrying military equipment and weapons. With a usual crew of five and a capacity to accommodate up to 90 passengers, it is a crucial asset for military operations.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Just a day before the crash, Kharkiv and Kyiv were subjected to Russian aerial assaults, claiming the lives of at least 18 people. In December, Russia accused Ukraine of a “terrorist attack” on civilians in Belgorod, resulting in the death of 25 individuals. Moreover, the Kremlin recently accused Kyiv of killing 27 people in an attack on the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk, a claim that Ukraine vehemently denies.
As the world awaits the outcome of the international investigation into the military plane crash, the tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The lives lost in this incident highlight the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and international support to prevent further bloodshed and devastation.
