Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners after an Il-76 military transport aircraft was reportedly shot down in Belgorod. Russia claimed that there were no survivors after Kiev downed the plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners, six Russian crew members, and three escorts.
Zelensky criticized Russia, stating that it is evident that they are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, the feelings of their relatives, and the emotions of Ukrainian society.
Ukraine's general staff raised concerns about Russia's deliberate actions, pointing out that Ukraine was not informed to ensure safe airspace, as was the practice on previous occasions.
Zelensky has called for an international probe into the incident, while the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, suggested that it should investigate "the criminal actions of the Kyiv regime." The Russian Defense Ministry asserted that Ukraine knew about the prisoners' transport to Belgorod for an exchange based on a prior agreement and accused Kiev of attempting to blame Russia for the deaths of Ukrainian military personnel on board.
(With Agency Inputs)
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