A Russian An-22 military transport aircraft crashed in Russia’s Ivanovo Region with seven crew members on board, according to local media reports, highlighting renewed questions over the continued operation of an aircraft type previously slated for retirement by 2024.
A Russian An-22 heavy-lift military transport aircraft crashed in the Furmanovsky District of Russia’s Ivanovo Region on December 9, according to initial reports from Russian media.
The aircraft, identified as an An-22 “Antei,” was conducting a military flight and had seven crew members on board at the time of the incident. Their condition remains unknown, and no official confirmation regarding casualties has been released.
Emergency response teams were dispatched to the crash site, with rescue and recovery operations currently underway. Access to the area may be challenging due to the aircraft’s large size and surrounding terrain.
Russian broadcaster REN TV reported that the crash occurred in the Furmanovsky District and confirmed that seven crew members were on board. The Telegram channel Shot also indicated that the aircraft may have been operated by the Russian Ministry of Defense, noting that emergency services were working at the scene. As of now, no official statement has been issued by Russian military or regional authorities.
The An-22 “Antei,” developed during the Soviet era, is the world’s largest turboprop-powered aircraft. Introduced in the 1960s, it was designed to transport heavy and oversized military cargo, including armored vehicles and equipment, over long distances. Despite its age, the aircraft has remained in limited service within Russia’s military fleet.
The cause of the crash has not yet been disclosed.
Previous official statements had indicated that Russia’s Aerospace Forces planned to retire the An-22 from active service starting in 2024. The incident has renewed questions over whether the aircraft was still in operational service or had been transferred to another government or security agency.
About The Author
