Zelensky commented on the situation with the downing of the Russian IL-76

Ukraine will insist on an international investigation into the situation with the downing of the Russian Il-76 aircraft in Russia's Belgorod Region and the possible presence of Ukrainian prisoners of war on board. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an evening video message on 24 January.

The President said that he summoned Umerov, Zaluzhny, Shaptala, Budanov and Malyuk, they reported on the situation with the aircraft and the exchange.

It is obvious that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, with the feelings of their relatives and with the emotions of our society. We need to establish all the clear facts. As far as possible, given that the downing of the plane took place on Russian territory - beyond our control," Zelensky said.

The President also heard from the Chief Commander and the General Staff on the use of the Air Force. The GUR is in the process of finding out the fate of all the captives. The SBU is investigating all the circumstances.

Zelenskyy said that he had instructed the Ukrainian Foreign Minister to inform his partners about the available data in Ukraine. Ukraine will insist on an international investigation.

We will remind, on Wednesday 24 January in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation crashed military transport aircraft IL-76. The Russian defence ministry said that on board the plane were allegedly 65 AFU prisoners transported to the Belgorod region for exchange, six crew members and three escorts.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that at the moment Ukraine did not have reliable and exhaustive information about who was on board the plane and in what quantity. For its part, Ukraine has fulfilled all agreements on the proper preparation of the exchange of prisoners of war.