Ukraine will insist on an international investigation into the downing of the Russian military transport aircraft IL-76 near Belgorod, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

“I summoned Umerov, Zaluzhny, Shaptala, Budanov and Maliuk – they reported on the situation with the aircraft and the exchange. It is obvious that the Russians are messing with the lives of Ukrainian captives, the feelings of their relatives, and the emotions of our society,” he said in his video address.

According to Zelenskyy, “all clear facts must be established. To the extent possible, given that the aircraft crashed on Russian territory – beyond our control.”

"’Facts’ is the key word now," the President stressed.

The Head of State also said that he had heard today the Commander-in-Chief and the General Staff on the use of Air Forces.

“The Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) is clarifying the fate of all captives. The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating all the circumstances. I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to provide our partners with the information available to Ukraine. Our state will insist on an international investigation,” he said.

As reported, on Wednesday morning, January 24, an IL-76 plane crashed near Russian Belgorod, on board of which, according to Russian media reports, Ukrainian prisoners of war could be present.