An Il-76 military transport plane crashes in the Belgorod region in Russia

Belgorod, Russia (Svidomi) — The Russian Ministry of Defence has confirmed the crash of an Il-76 military transport aircraft in the Belgorod region, according to Russian propaganda media.

The aircraft was used to transport equipment and personnel. 

The Ministry of Defence claims that there were about 60 people on board. The governor of the Belgorod region and rescuers arrived at the crash site.

The Russian Ministry of Defence claims that the plane was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war, who were allegedly being taken for an exchange.  Svidomi cannot verify the information. 

The Ukrainian media outlets Ukrainska Pravda and Ukrinform report, referring to a source in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, that the plane was carrying S-300 missiles.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence says it cannot confirm that the plane was shot down by the Ukrainian Defence Forces, as they are "still checking the information".

The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which coordinates prisoner exchanges, is currently collecting and analysing information about the crash of the IL-76 in Russia.

Our editorial team is monitoring the situation and will update this news.