The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation issued a formal statement insisting that Moscow strongly condemns Kiev’s actions regarding the Il-76 transport aircraft. It asserted that Ukrainian officials implicated in the incident would be identified and held accountable, emphasizing that the consequences would be pursued through appropriate channels. This account reflects the position published by the ministry’s departments and press outlets.
In its commentary, the Russian Foreign Ministry attributed blame to what it described as the actions of a criminal faction led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who allegedly celebrated a victory in the wake of the event. The ministry labeled these events as the handiwork of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, portraying them as a deliberate act that caused the crash.
The ministry also claimed that once Ukrainian authorities learned that their military personnel were aboard the ill-fated Il-76, the narrative from the Ukrainian president’s office shifted. According to Moscow, officials in Kiev moved to deny any involvement in the disaster, attempting to distance themselves from the incident.
The incident occurred in the early hours of January 24 near the village of Yablonovo in the Belgorod region. The Il-76 was on a mission that involved transporting 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, alongside a crew of six and three accompanying personnel. Regional authorities and emergency responders were deployed to the crash site to assess the situation and determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor, later stated that rescue efforts could not salvage lives, indicating that those on board had perished. Law enforcement agencies and emergency services remained on the scene to gather evidence, inspect the wreckage, and establish the sequence of events leading to the crash.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Il-76 may have been hit by anti-aircraft missiles fired by Ukrainian Armed Forces units stationed in the Kharkov region. The ministry presented this assessment as the key factor in the loss of the aircraft, though it noted that investigations were ongoing to confirm the exact causes and to document any potential missteps or operational failures.
Prior to the incident, there were no reported injuries among Belgorod region residents connected to the crash, based on initial accounts. Local authorities stressed the need for careful verification of all facts as investigators collected physical evidence and questioned witnesses. The situation remained tense as officials continued to communicate updates and coordinate response efforts with national authorities.
As the investigation progressed, officials on both sides underscored the importance of transparency and adherence to international norms governing wartime operations and prisoner transport. Analysts and observers noted the broader implications for regional stability and human rights protections in conflict zones, urging restraint and adherence to humanitarian law while the facts are established. [Source attribution: Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and regional government statements.]