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Russian military plane crashes near Ukraine border
By Rob Picheta, Thom Poole and Antoinette Radford, CNN
Updated 8:01 a.m. ET, January 24, 2024
What we're covering
A Russian military plane with 74 people on board has crashed in the Belgorod region of Russia, near the Ukrainian border, Russian state media reported. The region's governor said all those on board were killed.
The cause of the crash is not yet clear and there are conflicting accounts about who or what was on board. Russian state media reported that 65 Ukrainian servicemen were on the plane, being flown to Belgorod ahead of a prisoner swap.
But Ukraine's military said the plane was carrying air defense missiles. CNN has not verified either side's claims, and has asked Ukraine for comment on allegations it shot down the plane.
Belgorod has come under frequent attacks from Ukraine in recent weeks. At the end of December last year strikes killed at least 25 people, in one of the deadliest single incidents for Russian civilians of the war.
26 min ago
Russia claims the flight was carrying prisoners of war, Ukraine claims it was missiles. Here's what we know
From CNN Staff
Russian media has reported that a military plane with 74 people on board has crashed in the Belgorod region of Russia, near the Ukrainian border. The region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said all those on board were killed.
But, there are conflicting reports about who or what was on board. Russian state media reported that 65 Ukrainian servicemen were on the plane, being flown to Belgorod ahead of a prisoner swap.
Ukraine says the IL-76 that crashed in Belgorod was carrying missiles for the S-300 air defense system, according to the official Ukrainian information service, quoting a source in the Ukrainian armed forces.
CNN has been unable to independently verify either claim. It has reached out to Ukraine for comment on allegations it shot down the plane.
If you're just joining us, here's what we know:
IL-76 plane: The plane that crashed – an IL-76 – is a Soviet-era, long-range freighter plane that has been in service since 1975, according to the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation. It typically operates with a seven-person flight crew, and can carry around a 50-ton payload, according to the body. They're not designed as a passenger aircraft.
Yablonovo village: The plane crashed about five to six kilometers from the village of Yablonovo in the Korocha District of Russia’s Belgorod Region, according to Russian state news agency TASS. Belgorod borders Ukraine to its south-west.
Investigators on the scene: The Belgorod governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has said a Russian investigative team and emergency services personnel are at the scene of the plane crash. "I changed my work schedule and went to the area. All details later," he said.
Ukraine investigating: The Ukrainian government agency that looks after prisoners of war says it is investigating claims a Russian military plane that crashed in Belgorod region was carrying Ukrainian servicemen ahead of a prisoner exchange. A statement provided no extra details, but warned that Russia was trying to destabilise Ukrainian society.
Ukraine confirms exchange plans: Ukraine has confirmed a prisoner swap was due to take place today, but said it was "not happening at the moment." Prisoner exchanges have taken place throughout the conflict, with the largest yet in early January.
Border region: The region of Belgorod has been increasingly drawn into Russia’s war on Ukraine, with an increasingly emboldened Kyiv launching cross-border strikes on its cities and towns in an effort to dent domestic support for Moscow’s invasion. Earlier this month, Russia was forced to evacuate residents from the region after a series of retaliatory strikes from Ukraine.
33 min ago
Ukraine confirms there were plans for a prisoner exchange today
From CNN's Victoria Butenko in Kyiv
Ukraine says a prisoner of war exchange with Russia had been due to take place today (Wednesday).
“It is not happening at the moment,” Andriy Yusov, from Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, told CNN.
Russia has said the crashed plane was carrying dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war, but CNN has been unable to verify the claim.
Prisoner exchanges have taken place throughout the war, with the largest prisoner swap yet taking place in early January. More than 200 prisoners from each side were returned to their countries in February 2022.
1 hr 45 min ago
The Ukraine government is investigating Russia's claim that the plane was carrying Ukrainian POWs
From Olga Voitovych in Kyiv
The Ukrainian government agency that looks after prisoners of war says it is investigating claims a Russian military plane that crashed in Belgorod region was carrying Ukrainian servicemen ahead of a prisoner exchange.
A statement provided no further details but did warn Russia was “actively conducting information special operations against Ukraine aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian society.”
Russian news agencies, quoting Russia’s Defense Ministry, say 65 Ukrainian servicemen who were being flown to Belgorod ahead of a prisoner swap were on board the plane.
The official Ukrainian information service says the IL-76 that crashed was carrying missiles for the Russian S-300 air defense system, citing an unnamed source in the Ukrainian armed forces.
2 hr ago
Video shows the moment the IL-76 flight crashes just near the Yablonovo village
The Russian IL-76 plane crashed near the village of Yablonovo in the Korocha District of Belgorod.
Russia has claimed that the flight was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war, while Ukraine says the plane was transporting missiles.
CNN has been unable to verify either claim, but has reached out to Ukrainian sources about Russia's claims it was responsible for downing the plane.
Watch: Video shows Russian military plane crash near Ukrainian border | CNN
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Watch: Video shows Russian military plane crash near Ukrainian border | CNN
2 hr 2 min ago
The IL-76 is a Soviet era military plane
From CNN's Rob Picheta
The plane that crashed – an IL-76 – is a Soviet-era, long-range freighter plane that has been in service since 1975, according to the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation.
It typically operates with a seven-person flight crew, and can carry around a 50-ton payload, according to the body.
They are not designed as passenger aircraft but can feature traditional, airline-style seats, according to the Air Charter Service, a company which rents out the plane.
Russia and Ukraine have offered contrasting initial statements on whether the plane that crashed was carrying cargo or passengers. Russian state media reported that 65 Ukrainian servicemen were on the plane, being flown to Belgorod ahead of a prisoner swap. Conversely, Ukraine's military said the plane was carrying air defense missiles.
In 2004, an IL-76 operated by Azerbaijan crashed in northwest China, killing all seven crew members.
2 hr 11 min ago
All those on board Russian military plane that crashed are dead, Belgorod governor says
From CNN's Yulia Kesaieva and Radina Gigova
All those on board a Russian military plane that crashed on Wednesday are dead, Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a Telegram post.
"A transport airplane crashed in the Korochansky district. It went down in a field near a settlement. All those on board died," Gladkov said.
"Now the crash site is cordoned off. All operational services are on site, investigative measures are being carried out," he said.
"A commission is being sent to the site to establish the causes of the crash," he added.
2 hr 27 min ago
Ukraine claims the plane was carrying missiles
The IL-76 that crashed in Belgorod was carrying missiles for the S-300 air defense system, the official Ukrainian information service says, quoting a source in the Ukrainian armed forces.
That assertion is at odds with Russian claims that 65 Ukrainian servicemen were on board, ahead of a prisoner exchange - first reported on Russian news agencies, and then repeated by the head of the Russian Parliament’s defense committee, Andrey Kartapolov.
Kartapolov said there was a second military plane, also an IL-76, carrying an additional 80 prisoners of war, which was diverted.
Kartapolov also said the “The Ukrainian leadership was well aware of the impending exchange and was informed of how the prisoners would be delivered. But the IL-76 plane was shot down by three missiles, either with anti-aircraft missile systems or Patriot, or with German-made IRIS.”
CNN cannot verify these claims. We have reached out to multiple sources in Ukraine’s government about Russia’s allegations that Ukraine was responsible for the downing of the plane but have not yet received any comment.
2 hr 38 min ago
Plane crashed within kilometres of the Yablonovo village in Russia's Korocha District
From CNN's Radina Gigova in London
The Il-76 Russian military plane crashed five to six kilometers (about 3 to 3.7 miles) away from the village of Yablonovo in the Korocha District of Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
"No damage was done to the village, as it [the plane] crashed in a field outside of the village," a local cleric, Rev. Georgy, rector of the Dimitri Solunsky church in Yablonovo, told TASS.
The cleric said the church building and the local school had not been affected by the crash, according to TASS.
2 hr 47 min ago
Where is Belgorod?
Belgorod is a region in south-west Russia, on Ukraine's eastern border.
It borders the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, which has been the scene of intense fighting throughout the war.
In recent weeks, Belgorod has been the centre of Ukrainian strikes, with Russia evacuating citizens concerned about living in the region.
2 hr 37 min ago
Belgorod has become increasingly drawn into Moscow's war on Ukraine
From CNN's Rob Picheta
Firefighters work to extinguish burning cars following what Russian authorities say was a Ukrainian military strike in Belgorod, Russia, on December 30.
Firefighters work to extinguish burning cars following what Russian authorities say was a Ukrainian military strike in Belgorod, Russia, on December 30. Stringer/Reuters/File
The region of Belgorod has been increasingly drawn into Russia’s war on Ukraine, with an increasingly emboldened Kyiv launching cross-border strikes on its cities and towns in an effort to dent domestic support for Moscow’s invasion.
Earlier this month, Russia was forced to evacuate residents from the region after a series of retaliatory strikes from Ukraine.
At least 25 people died in late December in Ukrainian strikes on the region, which followed a major aerial bombardment from Moscow on Ukrainian cities.
“People realized there really is a war going on and it’s come now to Belgorod, maybe not for the first time but the most grave and frightening,” a Belgorod resident told Reuters in the wake of the December 30 strike.
Perhaps the most dramatic instance came in May 2023, when the Freedom of Russia Legion – a group of anti-Putin Russian nationals who are aligned with the Ukrainian army – mounted a surprise attack on the region, temporarily taking control of a border post and giving the world dramatic images of Russians taking up arms against the Kremlin.
3 hr 10 min ago
Belgorod governor says investigative team working at the scene
From CNN's Anna Chernova
Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov is pictured in Moscow on January 11.
Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov is pictured in Moscow on January 11. Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images/File
The Belgorod governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has said a Russian investigative team and emergency services personnel are at the scene of the plane crash.
"I changed my work schedule and went to the area. All details later," Gladkov said.
Gladkov said the “incident” took place in the Korochansky district of the Belgorod region, north-east of Belgorod City.
2 hr 55 min ago
65 Ukrainian servicemen were on board Russian plane that crashed, state media reports
From CNN's Andrew Carey
A screen grab taken from a video posted to social media shows smoke and flames following the crash of a Russian plane near Belgorod, Russia, on January 24.
A screen grab taken from a video posted to social media shows smoke and flames following the crash of a Russian plane near Belgorod, Russia, on January 24. From Social Media
Sixty-five Ukrainian servicemen who were being flown to Belgorod ahead of a prisoner swap were on board the plane that crashed in the region, Russian news agencies reported, quoting Russia’s Defense Ministry.
In addition, there were six crew members and three “accompanying personnel” on board the IL-76, reports said.
CNN has been unable to independently verify the claim.
3 hr 33 min ago
Kremlin offers no details on plane crash
From CNN's Anna Chernova
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the Russian plane crash in his regular call with journalists on Wednesday, but offered no details.
"This is quite new information, we will now deal with it. I can't say anything yet,” Peskov said, talking about the crash of the IL-76 in the Belgorod region of Russia.
3 hr 34 min ago
BREAKING: Russian plane crashes with 74 people on board, state media reports
A Russian IL-76 military plane has crashed in the Belgorod region near Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said, according to Russia’s RAI Novosti news agency.
The plane had 74 people on board, RIA said.
Follow us for live updates on this developing story.
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