No Survivors On Plane Carrying 65 Ukrainian PoWs- Russia

Russian Defence Ministry says a military plane has crashed in Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border.

“On board were 65 captured Ukrainian army servicemen being transported for exchange, six crew members and three escorts,” the Ministry said.

The local Governor said there are no survivors, the media cannot yet verify who was on board, or what caused the plane to crash.

Verified video shows a plane going down near the village of Yablonovo, 70km (44 miles) to the north-east of Belgorod.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry accuses Ukraine of shooting down the plane but provides no evidence.

Meanwhile, a  prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine was being prepared for today, a Spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence told Radio Liberty.

Andriy Yusov is quoted as saying: “I can state that the exchange planned for today is not taking place yet.”

He adds that the information provided by Russia, that prisoners of war had been on board the plane which crashed in Belgorod, was being checked.

BBC