At least 29 people died on Tuesday evening after a Russian military transport aircraft crashed over Crimea, authorities confirmed.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that communication with the Antonov An-26 was lost around 6 p.m. local time during a routine flight over the peninsula. Officials stated that all occupants on board perished and added that there were “no signs of external impact,” indicating the aircraft was likely not shot down.
Russian state media reported conflicting details: TASS cited a source saying the plane crashed into a mountain, while RIA Novosti suggested a possible technical malfunction as the cause.
The An-26 is a twin-engine turboprop used for military logistics, capable of carrying up to 40 soldiers. It is commonly employed for troop transport, parachute operations, and evacuation of wounded personnel.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of those on board, and investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.
