The incident was initially reported by Russian Telegram channels and later confirmed by Ukrinform’s source in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
While Russian platforms reported that the plane carried 63 people, the agency’s source in the Armed Forces of Ukraine claims the airlifter had a batch of S-300 surface-to-air missiles on board.
It is these missiles that Russia launched at Kharkiv region and other areas closer to the border.
The Ukrainian Air Force has not yet issued a comment on the crash reports, only stating that a statement is yet to be released.
Read also: New Cruiser "Moscow": Meaning and Versions of Russian A-50 and Il-22 DestructionAs reported earlier, in the past day, Russian invasion forces shelled 20 settlements across Kharkiv region, including the city of Kharkiv, launching S-300 missiles from Belgorod region.