Zelensky: Moscow is 'Playing with the Lives of Ukrainian Prisoners'

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, called for full clarification regarding the reasons behind the crash of a Russian plane in the border area of Russia on Wednesday, stating that Moscow is 'playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners.' Russia claims that during the crash of a Russian military transport aircraft on Wednesday, all 74 occupants, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were supposed to be returned to Ukraine during a prisoner exchange, were killed. In a video speech, Zelensky said, 'It is clear that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, the feelings of their loved ones, and the emotions of our society.' Reuters reported, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense, that six Russian crew members and three Russian soldiers were also among the occupants of the Il-76 military transport aircraft. This plane crashed near the city of Belgorod, Russia, close to the Ukrainian border. The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement regarding this, indicating that Kyiv showed its true colors and disregarded the lives of its citizens in light of the planned exchange of Ukrainian military prisoners. The Ukrainian media outlet 'Ukrainska Pravda' initially reported, citing military sources, that Kyiv shot down the plane, which was carrying S-300 missiles, but later corrected this news, stating that other sources did not confirm this information.