A Russian military transport plane, claiming to be a Russian Il-76 transport aircraft transporting 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war along with six crew members and three escorts, crashed in Russia's Belgorod region near Ukraine around 11 AM on Wednesday, as confirmed by Russia's Defense Ministry. An investigation into the crash is underway, and a special military commission is en route to the crash site.
Contradictory reports emerged, with Ukrainska Pravda, citing Ukrainian military sources, suggesting the plane was carrying S-300 missiles, and its destruction was orchestrated by Ukraine's Armed Forces. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these claims, and the Ukrainian military had not responded to requests for comment.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a major Russian missile attack that targeted Ukraine's air defences, resulting in 18 fatalities and 130 injuries. The attack, involving over 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft, and guided missiles, struck 130 residential buildings across three Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy's plea for increased military aid from Western allies gained urgency in the wake of this heavy assault.
As Ukraine marks the 700th day since the full-scale invasion by Kremlin forces began, Zelenskyy emphasised the need to reinforce air defences to protect cities, towns, and frontline positions. The recent intensification of the conflict has seen both sides focusing on long-range strikes, with Russia allegedly amassing missiles for a winter campaign, while Ukraine seeks to employ new drone technologies for strikes within Russian territory.
Analysts speculate that Russia may have used decoy missiles in Tuesday's attack to exploit vulnerabilities in Ukraine's air defences. The Institute for the Study of War in Washington suggests that Moscow is actively seeking to acquire more ballistic missiles from foreign sources, including Iran and North Korea, as they may be more effective in certain situations.
The situation underscores the ongoing complexities and challenges in the conflict, as both sides employ diverse strategies and technologies to gain an advantage. The crash of the Russian military transport plane adds a tragic dimension to the already volatile situation, prompting further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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