A Russian plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed in western Russia's Belgorod region, Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Wednesday, citing the Defense Ministry. Six crew members and three captive companions were also on board, RIA reported.
It was not immediately clear what caused the plane to crash or whether there were any survivors. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said at a morning briefing that there was not enough information to comment. Ukrainian officials also had no immediate comment, the Associated Press reported.
Obtained from Reuters
RIA, citing the Russian Defense Ministry, said Ukrainian prisoners were being transported to border areas for a prisoner exchange. The Defense Ministry said a special military commission was on its way to the crash site.
There have been several recent crashes of Russian military aircraft, which some say is due to an increase in the number of flights. Russia's continued invasion of UkraineAccording to AP.
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Omar Jagloul/Anadolu/Getty
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