A Russian Antonov-26 military transport aircraft has crashed over the Crimean peninsula, killing all 29 people on board, according to Russian state media and defence authorities.
The aircraft went down on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, near the village of Kuibyshevo in the Bakhchysaray district of Crimea, a region under Russian control since its annexation in 2014.
Russia’s defence ministry confirmed that contact with the aircraft was lost at about 18:00 Moscow time while it was on a scheduled flight. Search and rescue teams later discovered the wreckage, with no survivors reported.
According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the aircraft was carrying a total of 29 people, including crew members and passengers. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into possible violations of flight safety regulations.
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Preliminary findings indicate that there were no visible signs of external damage to the aircraft, raising the possibility of a technical malfunction. However, officials say a full investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash.
The Antonov-26 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft commonly used for military and cargo transport. Incidents involving the aircraft have been reported in the past, often linked to aging equipment and maintenance challenges.
The latest crash adds to a series of aviation incidents involving military aircraft in the region, as tensions remain high amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.