Zelenskyy alters plans following Il-76 crash in Russia, sources
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pending clarification of the circumstances of today's crash of the Russian Il-76 plane in the Belgorod region, made changes to the planned events, including the regional trip, according to the sources in the Office of the President and regional military administrations.
The head of state canceled a regional trip to the central regions.
In addition, Zelenskyy prohibited scheduling birthday greetings meetings for tomorrow, January 25.
Il-76 crash in the Belgorod region
On January 24, it became known that a military transport aircraft Il-76 crashed in the Korocha district of the Belgorod region, Russia. Sources from RBC-Ukraine report that the aircraft was transporting missiles for the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system.
Russia claims that there were 65 captured Ukrainian military personnel, six crew members, and three escorts on the plane. Russians accuse Ukraine of shooting down the aircraft.
Ukraine responded to Russia's statements, urging Ukrainians not to spread unverified information until official statements are made.
Later, a statement from the General Staff was issued in the context of information about the Il-76 crash near Belgorod. The statement mentioned that the Armed Forces of Ukraine would continue to take measures to control the airspace in the Belgorod-Kharkiv direction.
The Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense stated that the planned exchange of prisoners of war for today did not take place, although the Ukrainian side fulfilled its part of the agreements.
Intelligence also noted that, according to the agreements, the Russian side was supposed to ensure the safety of Ukrainian defenders.
For further information on the incident, you can read RBC-Ukraine's material.
