Russian military aircraft crashes in Amur region, 6 killed

A Russian military aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in the far eastern Amur region on Tuesday, killing six people, Russian news agency Interfax reported, citing the defence ministry.

Preliminary reports identified the aircraft as a Tupolev Tu-154, a Soviet-era three-engine jet that was originally designed as a medium-range passenger aircraft but has also been used by Russia's military and government for transport and special missions. The plane crashed near the village of Krasnoyarovo shortly after takeoff, with seven people reportedly on board. Six people were killed, including two who died from their injuries while being taken to hospital, according to the report.

The Tu-154 first flew in 1968 and entered commercial service in the early 1970s. It became one of the Soviet Union's most widely used passenger aircraft, particularly on domestic routes, with more than 1,000 aircraft produced. Its three-engine configuration, relatively robust landing gear and ability to operate from less-developed airfields made it particularly useful across Russia's vast territory.

Although commercial use of the aircraft has largely ended, some Tu-154s have continued to serve in government and military roles. Russia's defence and other state agencies have operated versions of the aircraft for personnel transport, while modified aircraft have also been used for specialised government and military tasks. The Russian military's 223rd Flight Squad has operated Tu-154 aircraft for transport missions.

The aircraft's history also includes several high-profile military-related incidents. In December 2016, a Russian Defence Ministry Tu-154 crashed into the Black Sea shortly after taking off from Sochi, killing all 92 people on board. The aircraft was carrying military personnel, journalists and members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, who were travelling to Syria.

In Tuesday's crash, the aircraft's fuel tanks exploded after impact, setting the wreckage on fire. Authorities have not yet provided details on what caused the aircraft to crash, and an investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. - Ends