A tragic aviation incident has been reported from Russia’s Crimea region, where a military transport aircraft crashed, killing all 29 people on board. The aircraft involved has been identified as an Antonov An-26, which was operating a scheduled flight at the time of the accident.

According to official reports, the aircraft suddenly lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) mid-flight, triggering a search operation. Rescue teams later located the wreckage in a mountainous area of Crimea, where the plane was found embedded in rocky terrain, indicating the severity of the impact.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the aircraft was carrying six crew members and 23 passengers. Authorities stated that there were no survivors in the crash.

Initial findings from the investigation suggest that a technical malfunction may have caused the accident. Officials have ruled out the possibility of an external attack, stating that there is no evidence of a missile strike, drone involvement, or bird hit. A military commission has been dispatched to the crash site to conduct a detailed examination and determine the exact cause.

The Antonov An-26 is a widely used transport aircraft designed for both military and civilian operations. First introduced in the 1960s, the aircraft has been in service for decades, with around 1,398 units produced between 1969 and 1986.

The incident adds to concerns over aviation safety involving ageing aircraft, as investigators continue their probe into the circumstances leading to the fatal crash.