Russian Defense Ministry cargo plane, carrying 15 individuals, crashed in the Ivanovo region, situated northeast of Moscow. The catastrophe unfolded shortly after the aircraft, identified as an Ilyushin Il-76, took off from an air base in western Russia. According to statements from the Russian defense minister, indications suggest an engine fire erupted during takeoff, leading to the fatal crash.
The ill-fated flight consisted of eight crew members and seven passengers, as per initial reports.
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A chilling video shared by the Moscow Times captures the haunting sight of the aircraft engulfed in flames just moments before its descent. Additionally, footage circulating on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, depicts the plane with one engine ablaze as it descends towards the ground, leaving behind a dark plume of smoke upon impact.
This tragedy echoes a similar incident in January when a Russian IL-76 military transport aircraft crashed in the Belgorod region near the Russia-Ukraine border, claiming the lives of all 65 passengers aboard. In the aftermath of that incident, Russia leveled accusations against Ukraine, alleging the downing of the plane and claiming that 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war were among the casualties, destined for a prisoner swap.
