Russia confirms plane crash with 65 Ukrainian prisoners on board

A Russian Il-76 transport plane with 65 Ukrainian prisoners on board crashed in the Belgorod region, local media reported Wednesday, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.

“Around 11:00 Moscow time (08:00 GMT), an Il-76 plane crashed in the Belgorod region during a scheduled flight. On board were 65 soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces captured and (being) transferred to the Belgorod region,” the Russian agency Sputnik reported, citing the aforementioned ministry. There were also six crew members of the aircraft and three companions on board.

According to Sputnik, a Russian air force commission flew to the scene of the accident to determine the cause of the catastrophe.

The president of the Russian State Duma, Viacheslav Volodin, said he believes the Ukrainian military shot down the plane, according to the agency. He tasked legislators to prepare an appeal to the United States Congress and the German Bundestag in connection with the air incident, to show foreign governments how Kiev is using its military aid.

“There is a proposal to investigate what missiles and launchers were used. Let's prepare an appeal to the United States Congress and the German Bundestag so that the deputies finally see who they are funding and helping,” said Volodin.

“They shot their own soldiers in the air. Their mothers, wives and children were waiting... the pilots of our military transport planes, who were carrying out a humanitarian mission, were shot (...) with American and German missiles,” said Volodin.

XINHUA/ Mazo News Team