Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the rocket shooting down of the Russian plane with 74 people on board, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners, by Ukraine was a "terrible act" and said, "An international investigation into the criminal actions of the Kiev administration is necessary."

Peskov made statements to journalists about the rocket shooting down of the Il-76-type plane yesterday, which was carrying 65 Ukrainian soldiers captured in the conflict, a crew of 6 people and 3 companions.

Stating that the incident is being investigated by the Russian Defense Ministry, Peskov said, "Of course, it is a terrible act for Ukrainians to kill their own citizens, prisoners who should be at home within a day. It is impossible to understand this action. There needs to be an international investigation into the criminal actions of the Kiev leadership."

Asked whether the prisoner exchange process between Russia and Ukraine will continue, Peskov said, "No one can say anything about this. This is a process that should take place in silence."

SHOOTING DOWN OF THE RUSSIAN PLANE

The Russian Defense Ministry announced yesterday that a Russian plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners was hit by a rocket from Ukraine.

In the statement, it was reminded that the plane was carrying a crew of 6, 65 Ukrainian soldiers captured in the conflicts and 3 Russian military personnel accompanying them, and it was reported that the crew and all passengers of the plane lost their lives.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that they called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after the Russian plane was shot down.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry stated that Russia had not informed them about the need to ensure the security of the Belgorod airspace within a certain time frame for the transfer of prisoners.

The Ukrainian General Staff said that they would continue to take measures to eliminate the terrorist threat, including in the Belgorod-Kharkiv direction, and to destroy the transport vehicles.