Technical malfunction suspected as investigation begins into deadly military plane crash
April 1, 2026: A Russian military transport aircraft, Antonov An-26, crashed near Kuibyshevo in Crimea on March 31, 2026, killing all on board, according to reports cited by TASS. Initial information suggested 6 crew members and 23 passengers had died, while Russia’s Investigative Committee later stated there were 7 crew and 23 passengers on the flight. Authorities confirmed the crash but have not released a final official death toll.
The aircraft was on a scheduled flight over the Crimean peninsula when it lost contact with military control around 6 p.m. local time. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the crash was caused by a technical malfunction, with no signs of external interference. Reports from the scene indicated that the aircraft crashed into a cliff near the village, prompting officials to launch a criminal investigation into possible flight safety violations.
The incident adds to a series of Russian military aviation accidents since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Previous crashes include an Antonov An-22 in December last year in the Ivanovo region, a Mikoyan MiG-31 crash in October, and a Ilyushin Il-76 accident in December 2024, all of which resulted in fatalities. These repeated incidents have raised concerns over military aviation safety in the region.