A Russian An-26 transport aircraft crashed in occupied Crimea on March 31, killing 29 military personnel on board, according to Russian Telegram media channels. The Russian Defense Ministry initially reported losing contact with the aircraft and dispatched a search and rescue team.
Russian An-26 Crash in Crimea
Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti, citing the Russian Defense Ministry, stated that the fate of the aircraft and crew was initially unknown. The ministry later claimed there was no evidence of external damage to the aircraft.
Russian Telegram media channels with ties to the Russian Defense Ministry later reported that 29 Russian military personnel, including six crew members, were killed in the crash due to a “technical malfunction.”
The Defense Ministry stated the aircraft lost contact with radar around 6 p.m. local time.
The Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify the reports or claims made by Russian officials. The exact location of the crash remains unclear.
Ukraine’s military has not commented on the reported crash. Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) previously destroyed two Russian An-26 transport aircraft in a drone attack on occupied Crimea in September 2025.
The An-26 is a Soviet-era twin-engine turboprop aircraft widely used for short- and medium-haul transport, capable of carrying up to 40 troops or 5.5 tons of cargo.
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a regular target of Ukrainian attacks. On March 24, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Zircon hypersonic missile launcher in occupied Crimea during an overnight strike, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.
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