A Russian military plane crash in Crimea has killed 29 people after an Antonov-26 aircraft went down during a scheduled flight, according to official reports.
Russia’s defence ministry said contact with the aircraft was lost on March 31 at around 18:00 Moscow time while it was flying over the Crimean peninsula. Search and rescue teams later located the crash site and confirmed there were no survivors. The aircraft was carrying six crew members and 23 passengers, all of whom were killed in the incident.
Authorities said there were no signs of external impact on the wreckage, suggesting that a technical failure may have caused the crash. Initial findings indicate that the crash was likely due to mechanical issues rather than external interference.
Officials have not yet released further details, and investigations are expected to continue to determine the exact cause. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the United Kingdom.
Earlier this week, Russia expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of espionage and activities that threaten national security.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed the diplomat was involved in intelligence operations. However, the UK rejected the allegations, calling them “completely unacceptable.” Relations between Moscow and London remain strained, particularly as the war in Ukraine continues.
Russia has accused Britain of attempting to destabilise the country, while the UK views Russia as a major security threat and has alleged cyberattacks and sabotage activities.
