A Soviet era Antonov An-22 military transport aircraft crashed on Tuesday in the Ivanovo region, about 250 km northeast of Moscow, causing the death of at least seven people, five crew members and two passengers.
According to witnesses, the aircraft began to break apart in midair near the Uvódskoye reservoir before plunging into the water. The bodies of the victims have already been recovered by emergency team divers.
The An-22 had been in service for more than 50 years and was considered the largest turboprop aircraft in the world, designed to transport troops, weapons, and military equipment over long distances.
Local media indicate that the accident may have been caused by technical failures, although authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause.
What are the implications of this accident for Russian military aviation?
This incident deepens the crisis within Russia’s military air fleet, highlights the risks of operating aging aircraft, and could accelerate the final retirement of obsolete models such as the An-22.