Russia lost two military aircraft within 24 hours – an An-26 transport plane and a Su-34 fighter-bomber. Preliminary reports indicate up to 30 fatalities.
The Russian Defense Ministry and Russian media reported this.
An-26: crash in Crimea
Contact with a military An-26 transport aircraft disappeared during a flight over occupied Crimea. The aircraft carried out a scheduled mission. Search and rescue teams moved to the crash site.
According to official Russian data:
“A search and rescue team located the crash site of the An-26 aircraft… six crew members and 23 passengers… died.”
Officials also stated:
“There was no external impact on the aircraft. A technical malfunction likely caused the crash.”
Russian investigative authorities report that around 30 people died. Media sources suggest the aircraft may have crashed into a cliff.
Su-34: loss during combat mission
On March 31, Russia also lost a Su-34 fighter-bomber. Officials did not disclose the circumstances of the incident.
Unofficial reports suggest the aircraft flew a combat mission as a carrier of guided aerial bombs at the time of the incident. Some sources report that the pilot may have died, but no one has confirmed this.
Unofficial channels also discuss a possible “friendly fire” incident involving Russian air defenses, but no one has provided evidence so far.
Context
The An-26 is a Soviet-era military transport aircraft used to carry personnel and equipment. During the war, Russian aviation often operates at very low altitudes to avoid air defense systems.
The loss of aircraft – especially the Su-34, which Russia actively uses to strike Ukraine with guided bombs – remains sensitive for the Russian military amid intense fighting.
Previously The Ukrainian Review reported that Ukrainian forces continue to expand their medium-range strike campaign, increasing their ability to counter Russian missile attacks, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
