A Russian Il-76 military transport plane has crashed in the Belgorod region, four pro-Kremlin media outlets reported, citing sources and videos posted on social media.
Local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said an unspecified "accident" had occurred in the Korochansky district, northeast of the city of Belgorod, and that he was going to inspect the site.
"At about 11 a.m. Moscow time (08:00 GMT) an Il-76 plane crashed in Belgorod Region during a routine flight," Moscow's Defense Ministry said.
"On board were 65 captured servicemen of the Ukrainian army who were being transported to Belgorod Region for exchange, six crew members and three escorts," the statement said.
There was no immediate official reaction in Kiev, but local media quoted Ukrainian defence force sources as saying its armed forces had shot down the plane and it was carrying missiles. /BGNES
