Moscow: A Russian military aircraft crashed in the far eastern Amur region on Tuesday, killing six people, the country’s Defence ministry said.
The aircraft was identified 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.
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The plane crashed near the village of Krasnoyarovo shortly after takeoff, with seven people reportedly on board. One person is undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Russian media reported that the aircraft’s fuel tanks exploded after impact, setting the wreckage on fire.
