Russia Mourns Loss of All Crew in Deadly AN-22 Military Plane Crash Near Moscow

Russia has confirmed that all seven crew members on board a military cargo plane were killed in a crash near Moscow. The AN-22 aircraft went down in an uninhabited area of the Ivanovo region, approximately 200 kilometres east of the capital city, while on a test flight following repairs. According to the Investigative Committee, an investigation into the crash has been opened, focusing on the flight preparation rules. The Defence Ministry stated that the plane was on a test flight after undergoing repair work. The incident has raised concerns about the frequency of accidents involving military transport and equipment in Russia, particularly during its ongoing campaign in Ukraine. However, there is no indication that the crash is linked to the conflict. Search crews have been deployed to the area, and the region's remote location has made it challenging to access the site. Further details about the crash are still emerging, but it is clear that the loss of life has been significant.