Russian military plane crashes near border with Ukraine

A Russian military transport plane has crashed in the border region of Belgorod near Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have confirmed the downing of the plane saying it was carrying S-300 anti-aircraft missiles used in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. This is according to a report by Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper. The Ukrainian government did not immediately comment on the incident. 

The Russian ministry said the aircraft was carrying 65 Ukrainian PoWs for a prisoner exchange. The ministry added that onboard the Ilyushin Il-76 were also six crew and three other people.