MOSCOW, Russia—Russian military capabilities sustained a blow after one of its military transport aircraft crashed during a test flight on Tuesday in the Ivanovo region, located approximately 254 kilometers northeast of Moscow. The incident has raised significant concerns within the Russian Air Force.
Citing the Russian Ministry of Defense, state media reported that the AN-22 aircraft involved in the crash was undergoing a scheduled test flight following repair work. The AN-22 is a critical component of Russia’s heavy lift transport fleet.
News agencies in Moscow reported that seven crew members were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash, and there has been no immediate information regarding their fate, causing anxiety among their families and military officials.
The plane crashed in an uninhabited area, which minimized collateral damage on the ground. Authorities have confirmed that a specialized team has been dispatched to the crash site to search for the wreckage and gather information about the crew. A full-scale investigation into the circumstances of the incident has been initiated, which may also scrutinize the quality and procedure of the aircraft’s maintenance and repair.
