[ad_1]
A Russian military transport plane, reportedly carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), crashed on Wednesday morning in the Belgorod region near Ukraine, according to the Associated Press (AP). The cause of the crash remains unclear, and it is unknown if there are any survivors. The Ukrainian government has not provided immediate comments on the incident, as per the report.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that a special military commission was en route to the crash site. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, citing the ministry, reported that the POWs were being transported for a potential prisoner exchange in the border region.
According to AP, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, refrained from commenting on the crash during a morning call with reporters, citing a lack of information.
In recent times, the Russian Air Force has experienced multiple crashes, with some observers attributing them to an increased number of flights amid the conflict in Ukraine.
After 700 days of the Kremlin’s forces entering Ukraine, the 1,500-kilometer front line remains largely static due to icy weather conditions. The war has shifted focus to long-range strikes as both sides aim to replenish their weapons stockpiles.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a major Russian missile attack that resulted in 18 fatalities and 130 injuries. The attack utilized over 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft, and guided missiles, targeting residential buildings in three Ukrainian cities.
Zelenskyy urged Western allies to provide more military aid, emphasising the need to strengthen air defense to protect cities and frontline positions. According to AP, analysts suggest Russia may have stockpiled missiles for a winter aerial campaign, while Ukraine seeks to employ new drone tactics.
The Institute for the Study of War in Washington suggested Russia may have used decoy missiles in the recent attack to exploit weaknesses in Ukraine’s air defenses, according to the report. Russia is allegedly seeking additional ballistic missiles from foreign countries, including Iran and North Korea.
A Ukrainian drone was reportedly downed over the Belgorod border region on Wednesday, with no reported casualties or damage.
Despite stretched resources, Ukraine’s allies, including the United States, have pledged continued military aid. Germany announced plans to send six SEA KING Mk41 multi-role helicopters to Ukraine, contributing to a total military delivery of approximately 6 billion euros since the conflict’s onset.
[ad_2]
Source link