What happened
A flight traveling from Moscow-Chkalovsky Airport to Belgorod Airport was involved in a fatal accident during its approach. The aircraft was carrying a total of 74 people, including 65 Ukrainian soldiers being moved as part of a prisoner exchange, three additional passengers, and six crew members.
As the crew began the descent toward Belgorod Airport, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and rolled to the left. The plane eventually struck a snow-covered field in the Yablonovo area, situated approximately 55 km northeast of the destination airport. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and all 74 occupants were killed in the crash.
Findings
The specific reasons for the crash are currently unconfirmed. Russian authorities have alleged that the aircraft was struck by a Ukrainian missile, though they have not specified if the strike was intentional or accidental. The exact sequence of events leading to the loss of control remains under investigation.