On January 24, a plane crash shocked the world. A Russian Il-76 military transport plane crashed in Belgorod Oblast, near the Russian-Ukrainian border, leaving none of the 74 people on board. The Russian side said that the plane was shot down by Ukrainian forces with an anti-aircraft missile, and that it was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were about to be exchanged. The Ukrainian side denied this claim, questioning whether there were prisoners of war on board and the real place of departure and destination of the plane. This incident sparked a fierce dispute between Russia and Ukraine, and also touched the nerves of the international community.
According to a number of foreign reports, at around 11 a.m. on the same day, a large plane crashed near the village of Yablonovo in the Belgorod region, causing a huge fireball. Witnesses filmed the scene** and uploaded it on social media**. ** Shows the plane disintegrating in the air with the wreckage scattered across a patch of snow. The crash site is located just a few kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
The Russian Ministry of Defense released information shortly after the accident, saying that the plane was an Il-76 military transport plane on a routine mission, carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, who were originally planned to be transported to Belgorod Oblast for a prisoner exchange. In addition, there were 6 crew members and 3 escorts on board. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that the plane was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile launched by the Ukrainian army from Kharkiv Oblast, and the radar equipment of the Russian Aerospace Forces monitored two missiles fired by Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense also pointed out that the Ukrainian leadership is very clear about this prisoner exchange, and the attack of the Ukrainian army is a premeditated terrorist act aimed at undermining the peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine and further framing Russia for killing Ukrainian servicemen.
Russian press secretary Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin was shocked and saddened by the crash, expressed condolences to the victims, and strongly condemned Ukraine's actions. He said it was a "barbaric" attack, a flagrant violation of the humanitarian agreement between Russia and Ukraine, and a grave violation of international law and human rights. He said that Russia will demand that the international community investigate and sanction Ukraine's actions, while reserving the right to take corresponding measures against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian side has taken a negative attitude towards Russia's accusations. Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Yusov said that Ukrainian forces did not fire any missiles into Russian airspace and did not participate in any prisoner exchange operations. He said that the Ukrainian side did not have enough information about whether there were prisoners of war on board, as well as the real take-off and destination of the plane, and further investigation was needed. He also said that the Ukrainian side sympathized with the victims, but did not admit that it was a terrorist attack, but a plane crash.
Ukraine's **Zelensky also made a speech in the evening of the same day, expressing concern about the incident. It was a very difficult day, he said, and he expressed his condolences to the victims and his condolences to their families. He said that the plane fell on the territory of Russia, and the Ukrainian side has no control over it, and more facts need to be ascertained. He said that Ukraine will insist on an international investigation into the incident in order to find the truth. He also called on the Russian side not to use the incident to stir up tensions, but to continue to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The crash has attracted widespread attention from the international community. The UN Security Council decided to hold an emergency meeting on the 25th to discuss the impact and consequences of this incident. The European Union, the United States, Germany, France and other countries and organizations have also issued statements expressing condolences to the victims, expressing concern about the incident, and calling on Russia and Ukraine to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation of the conflict, and continue to promote peaceful dialogue.
The crash is the most serious since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and it is also a major setback for Russia and Ukraine on the issue of prisoner exchange. Since February 2022, Russia and Ukraine have conducted several prisoner exchanges and released hundreds of prisoners, which is seen as an important outcome of the Russia-Ukraine peace process. However, the incident has dealt a serious blow to mutual trust between the two sides and has also made the international community worried about the prospects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The truth of this incident remains to be further investigated and confirmed, but in any case, it is a humanitarian tragedy and a challenge to peace.