- Dramatic video shows the Ilyushin Il-76 plunging from the sky and crashing
This is the moment a Russian military transport plane nosedived towards a town before crashing and exploding on impact in the region of Belgorod on the border with Ukraine.
Dramatic video shows an out-of-control Ilyushin Il-76 plunging from the sky and smashing into the ground in front of horrified locals in the Korochansky district this morning.
As the large 164ft plane slams into the ground, it explodes into a huge fireball that engulfs the 72-tonne jet in flames.
Within minutes of the crash, Russia claimed the military plane was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, without providing any evidence.
But the Ukrainian Armed Forces later said the Russian military aircraft was carrying S-300 air defence missiles and its downing was ‘their work’.
Local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that an unspecified ‘incident’ had occurred in the region’s Korochansky district, northeast of Belgorod city, and that he was going to inspect the site.
A Russian military transport plane carrying 63 people today nosedived and crashed in the region of Belgorod on the border with Ukraine
Video shows the Ilyushin Il-76 plunging from the sky and smashing into the ground in front of horrified locals in the Korochansky district this morning
As the 164ft plane crashes, the impact sparks a huge fireball that engulfs the 72-tonne jet in flames
‘Currently, an investigation team and employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are working on the spot,’ he said.
‘I have changed my work schedule and gone to the area. All details later.’
Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, has come under frequent attack from Ukraine in recent months, including a December missile strike which killed 25 people.
Earlier today there had been a missile threat in Belgorod region and claims Russian air defences shot down an aircraft-style drone flown from Ukraine.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow…
