MOSCOW: Russia said on Tuesday that a military cargo plane with 15 persons on board had crashed while taking off from an airfield for a schedule flight.
Moscow said the Ilyushin-76, with 15 people aboard during takeoff for a routine flight. The incident occurred in the Ivanovo region, situated approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of Moscow, when one of the plane’s engines reportedly caught fire.
According to statements from Moscow, the aircraft was carrying eight crew members and seven passengers at the time of the crash. The Russian defence ministry confirmed the unfortunate event, attributing it to “a fire in one of its engines.” A military commission has been dispatched to investigate the crash site at the air base in Ivanovo.
Cargo Plane Crash
The Ilyushin-76, known for its role as a large cargo plane, has been an integral part of Russia’s transportation fleet. However, this recent crash adds to a string of incidents amid Russia’s heightened military activities, particularly during its two-year offensive in Ukraine.
Russia has witnessed a significant surge in the movement of troops and military equipment across its territory in recent years. This has coincided with escalating tensions and conflict dynamics in the region, notably exemplified by the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
Notably, in January, Russia reported the downing of an Il-76 near the shared border with Ukraine, implicating Ukrainian forces in the incident.
