The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War calls to refrain from disseminating unverified information due to the dissemination by Russian propaganda resources of statements about the crash of a military transport plane in Russia, allegedly transporting Ukrainian prisoners of war.

"Prior to the announcement of official statements or comments by authorized persons or bodies, we urge the media and citizens to refrain from disseminating unverified information. We note that the enemy is actively carrying out special information operations directed against Ukraine, which are aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian society. We ask you to responsibly disseminate sensitive information and use only by official sources," according to a statement published in the Telegram channel of the Coordination Headquarters on Wednesday.

As reported, earlier Russian media, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense, reported the crash of an Il-76 in Belgorod region of Russia on Wednesday morning with 65 captured Ukrainian military personnel, who were allegedly transported to Belgorod region for exchange, and nine Russians: crew members and accompanying persons.

Ukrainska Pravda, citing its own sources in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said the Il-76 military transport aircraft that crashed in Russia was carrying missiles for the S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.

An informed source close to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense told Interfax-Ukraine that the Russian Il-76 plane was shot down on takeoff, without specifying the alleged presence of Ukrainian prisoners on board.