Was destroyed plane carrying missiles or Ukrainian POWs?

Contradictory reports about Russian plane crash have emerged from Russian and Ukrainian sources - was the plane carrying Ukrainian POWs or missiles? 

Russian Il-76 military aircraft.

Kalousek Rotislav/PAP/CTK

The plane carrying 65 Ukrainian POWs to be swapped crashed in the Belgorod region killing all 74 on board - according to the Russian defence ministry. According to Ukrainian reports, the plane was carrying S-300 missiles. 

Ukraine's Pravda initially reported that the Russian Il-76 military aircraft was shot down by Ukraine, later reports concurring with Russia's report concerning POWs. 

⚡️ Ukraine's military intelligence on Il-76 crash: Prisoner swap was planned, claim about Ukrainian POWs not yet verified.

An exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine was planned for Jan. 24, Ukraine's military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said in a comment for… pic.twitter.com/GiDi9CB750

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) January 24, 2024

Sources: PAP, The Guardian, Kyiv Independent

pt