Russian Military Plane Crash in Crimea Kills 29 People

A Russian military transport aircraft has crashed in Crimea, resulting in the deaths of at least 29 people, according to official reports released early Wednesday.

The aircraft, identified as an An-26 military transport plane, was on a scheduled flight over the Crimean Peninsula when it lost contact with air traffic control around 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, remains a region of ongoing geopolitical tension.

According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, a total of seven crew members and 23 passengers were onboard at the time of the crash. Initial reports indicate that six crew members were confirmed dead, while it remains unclear if any survivors have been found.

Sources at the crash site told state-run news agencies that the aircraft crashed into a cliff in a mountainous and forested area in the Bakhchisarai district. Emergency teams have been deployed, and search operations are currently underway to locate possible survivors and recover bodies.

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident, focusing on potential violations of flight safety regulations. The Defense Ministry has stated that a technical malfunction is the most likely cause of the crash, adding that there was no evidence of external interference.

This incident adds to a growing number of military aviation accidents in Russia in recent years. Experts have raised concerns over aircraft maintenance and operational safety, especially amid increased military activity linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Previous crashes include an An-22 transport plane accident in December that killed seven crew members, as well as multiple incidents involving fighter jets and bombers across different regions of Russia.