Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Moscow of endangering Ukrainian prisoners’ lives after a plane crash in western Russia.
He is calling for an international inquiry into the incident near Ukraine’s border. Russia claims the downed plane was carrying Ukrainian prisoners for a prisoner exchange.
Ukraine’s military intelligence has not been informed to ensure safe airspace, suggesting a lack of communication between the two countries.
In a video address, President Zelensky stressed the need for clear facts to be established regarding the incident. The Kremlin has condemned the downing of the plane as a “monstrous act”.
Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed that the plane crashed in a field near a residential area, and that there were no survivors on board.
Ukraine’s general staff quoted by the Ukrainska Pravda website initially claimed that the plane was transporting Russian-made missiles.
Ukraine and Russia have been involved in several prisoner swaps since the start of the war, with thousands of Ukrainians still being held by Russia.
Belgorod, located near the Ukraine border, has suffered numerous casualties from air strikes and drones since the war began.
Russia’s war in Ukraine is ongoing, with heightened air attacks in recent weeks. Last week, Russia claimed to have captured a village close to the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
At least 18 people were killed and 130 were injured in missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The biggest prisoner exchange took place earlier this month, with hundreds of prisoners being released as part of the deal.
More than 8,000 Ukrainians, both civilian and military, are still being held by Russia, according to Ukraine’s Coordination HQ on the Treatment of PoWs.
