Forty-nine Ukrainian servicemen have died as a military transport plane was shot down. The Ukrainian prosecutor’s office has confirmed the information, Itar-Tass reported.
Ukraine’s defense ministry said the Il-76 transport plane crashed after coming under anti-aircraft fire over Lugansk.
The plane was carrying troops and military equipment and was about to land at the city’s airport.
Military spokesman Vladislav Seleznov said “preliminary information” suggested all 49 military personnel on board the aircraft – nine flight crew and 40 troops – were killed, according to the BBC.
The prosecutor’s office has launched an inquiry into the case.
