Watch: Russian military plane carrying Ukrainian POWs crashes near border

The plane was carrying 74 people, including six crew, three guards and 65 Ukrainian POWs when it crashed

Photo taken from validated UGC video which shows flames rising from the scene of a warplane crashed at a residential area near Yablonovo, Belgorod region, Wednesday, Jun. 23, 2024. Picture: Validated UGC video via AP

A Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane crashed near the Ukrainian border on Wednesday, and state news agency RIA quoted the defence ministry as saying it was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war to be exchanged for Russian captives.

The plane was carrying 74 people, including six crew and three guards when it crashed, RIA cited the defence ministry as saying. There was no immediate information on the cause.