Military Transport Plane Carrying Ukrainian POWs Crashes in Russia; All Aboard Reported Dead

A military transport plane, reportedly carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, crashed in the Belgorod region of Russia near Ukraine. All individuals aboard the plane, including the POWs, were reported to have been killed, according to the Governor of Belgorod. The cause of the crash remains unclear. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti mentioned that the prisoners were being transported for a potential exchange.

However, Ukrainian officials have urged caution against sharing unverified information. Two Russian lawmakers suggested, without evidence, that the plane might have been downed by Ukrainian missiles. The crash occurred amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, marked by increased military activities and missile attacks.