Ukraine's Security Service opens case over crash of IL-76 in Belgorod region

"The Security Service of Ukraine has opened a criminal case regarding the crash of the Russian Aerospace Forces Il-76 aircraft in the Belgorod region. The investigation is being carried out under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of laws and customs of war)," the publication reported.

Currently, the SSU is conducting a comprehensive investigation to clarify all the aircraft crash circumstances.

Pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

What is known about the Il-76 crash

On January 24, a military transport aircraft, Il-76, crashed in the Belgorod region of Russia. Russian media first reported it. According to RBC-Ukraine sources, it transported missiles for the S-300 missiles.

In turn, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that there were supposedly 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board the Il-76, who were being prepared for exchange. The General Staff of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated that the exchange was supposed to occur and was disrupted. However, the information about Ukrainian prisoners of war on the plane is not confirmed by intelligence. The information regarding the crew of the Il-76 is currently being verified.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later stated that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war, the feelings of their relatives, and the emotions of Ukrainian society. He also emphasized the need to establish all clear facts to the extent possible, considering that the plane crash occurred on Russian territory.

At the same time, a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has already been released. The Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleshchuk, also made a statement against the backdrop of the Il-76 crash.

More details on the Il-76 crash near Belgorod and what is known about this plane - in the material on RBC-Ukraine.