On March 31, 2026, a Russian Air Force Antonov An-26 transporting military personnel crashed into a cliff in Crimea, killing all 30 people. The number of occupants is unknown, but it is believed that there are no survivors. RIA Novosti said according âÂÂto â an initial assessment, technical problems were believed to have caused the crash.
The aircraft involved was a Russian Air Force Antonov An-26 with an unknown tailnumber and year of manufacturing.
23 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft. It was transporting servicemen of the Northern Fleet.
Fog, rain and low clouds with limited visibility were reported in the Bakhchisaray area. It is unclear if weather caused the crash.
The aircraft was on a scheduled flight over the Crimean Peninsula. Contact was lost with the aircraft at around 18:00 Moscow Time. The search and rescue operation was hampered by the terrain, including mountainous areas. Search and rescuers later found the wreckage.
Military investigative bodies of the Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case under Article 351 of the Criminal Code of Russia into the crash on April 1. No signs of external impact were found on the wreckage, with technical malfunction likely being the cause. The crash occurred on the same day a Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-34 was lost under unknown circumstances.