A Russian military transport plane crashed on Tuesday during a test flight after undergoing repairs, the defence ministry confirmed, raising concerns about the aircraft’s safety and operational readiness.
The AN-22 cargo plane went down in an uninhabited area of the Ivanovo region, located approximately 200 kilometres east of Moscow, officials said, adding that seven crew members were on board at the time.
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Search and rescue teams were immediately deployed to the crash site, while authorities launched an official investigation to determine the cause of the accident and whether the crew survived.
State media clarified that the incident is unrelated to Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine, and there is no indication of foreign involvement in the crash.
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The defence ministry emphasized that the plane had been on a routine test flight following maintenance work, suggesting mechanical failure or technical issues could be contributing factors under review.
Officials have urged caution and assured the public that further details will be provided as the investigation progresses, highlighting the priority of safety in military aviation operations.