In the latest incident, Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of accidentally shooting down a Russian Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft over the Belgorod region. The ministry said Kiev used an anti-aircraft missile system, destroying the plane, which caused Ukrainian troops to leave. Despite reporting these allegations, Ukraine has yet to respond.
A Defense Ministry statement described the incident as a terrorist act, which occurred at 11:15 p.m. According to the radar equipment of the Russian Air Force, Ukrainian forces attacked from Liptsy, Kharkiv region, using an anti-aircraft missile system.
The situation has remained uncertain due to the absence of any statement from Kiev, as both sides are presenting contradictory stories. The incident raises concerns about rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the potential for further escalation in the region. Official responses and investigations will play an important role in determining the veracity of these claims and explaining the stages of this tragic event.
Ukrainian authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the recent plane crash, particularly Russia’s claim to have shot down the Il-76 in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners. The office that planned the prisoner exchange said it was “collecting and analyzing information.” There has been no comment from Ukraine despite the allegations being reported by Russian sources.
According to the statement of the Russian Defense Ministry, the incident occurred as a terrorist act, which resulted from the Ukrainian military using an anti-aircraft missile system from Lipetsy in the Kharkiv region.
Destroyed the plane. According to Russian government officials, Russian Aerospace Force radar equipment detected the launch of two Ukrainian missiles.
The situation remains uncertain with no statement from Kiev, as both sides are presenting contradictory stories. The incident raises concerns about tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the potential for further escalation in the region. Official responses and investigations will play an important role in determining the veracity of these claims and explaining the stages of this tragic event.
Note: “Assessed” means the Institute for the Study of War has received reliable and independently verifiable information to demonstrate Russian control or advances in those areas.
Source: Russian state news agency TASS, The Institute for the Study of War with AEI’s Critical Threats Project
Graphic: Henrik Pettersson, CNN
Here’s a summary of the current situation:
1. **IL-76 Plane Crash:** The crashed IL-76, a Soviet-era freighter, entered service in 1975 and is not designed for passengers. It typically carries a 50-ton payload with a seven-person flight crew, as stated by the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation.
2. **Yablonovo Village Location:** The plane crashed approximately five to six kilometers from Yablonovo village in Russia’s Belgorod Region, which shares a southwestern border with Ukraine, according to TASS.
3. **On-Site Investigation:** Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported the presence of a Russian investigative team and emergency services at the crash site. Further details are expected later.
4. **Ukraine’s Investigation:** Ukraine is investigating claims that the crashed Russian military plane was carrying Ukrainian servicemen for a planned prisoner exchange. The government agency handling prisoners of war issued a statement warning about potential Russian attempts to destabilize Ukrainian society.
5. **Confirmed Prisoner Swap Plans:** Ukraine acknowledged plans for a prisoner swap on the day of the crash but stated it was not occurring at that moment. Previous exchanges have taken place, with the largest in early January.
6. **Belgorod’s Involvement in the Conflict:** Belgorod, bordering Ukraine, has become increasingly involved in Russia’s war on Ukraine. Kyiv has conducted cross-border strikes on the region, aiming to diminish domestic support for Moscow’s invasion. Earlier this month, Russia evacuated residents from the area due to retaliatory strikes from Ukraine.