Military Cargo Plane Crashes in Russia, Seven on Board

A Russian military transport aircraft crashed on Tuesday during a test flight following repair work, the Defence Ministry confirmed, prompting a search and rescue operation in the affected area.

The AN-22 plane went down in an uninhabited part of the Ivanovo region, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Moscow, according to a statement reported by the TASS news agency. Seven personnel were on board at the time of the crash, though it remains unclear whether any survived. Authorities have launched an official investigation into the incident.

“The aircraft crashed during a test flight after undergoing maintenance,” the Defence Ministry said. “Search crews have been deployed, and measures are being taken to investigate the cause of the accident.”

The AN-22 is a large Soviet-era military transport plane, known for its massive size and heavy-lift capabilities. It has been used by the Russian military for decades to transport troops, equipment, and cargo over long distances. Test flights following repairs are standard procedure to ensure the aircraft is operational and safe before returning to active duty.

State media emphasized that there is no suggestion the crash is linked to Russia’s ongoing offensive in Ukraine, nor any involvement by Kyiv. The incident appears to be an accident during routine post-repair testing.

Local authorities and emergency teams are working to secure the crash site and recover any survivors or wreckage. The Defence Ministry has pledged to release further updates once more information becomes available.