Military An-22 crashes in Russia after post-repair test flight; seven crew members presumed dead
A military transport aircraft An-22 crashed in the Ivanovo region of the Russian Federation on 9 December 2025, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. The aircraft was conducting a scheduled verification flight after undergoing repair procedures.
According to the official statement, seven crew members were on board, and all are considered dead, although final assessments still depend on the progress of the investigation. The causes of the accident have not been disclosed.
The An-22 “Antey” is a Soviet heavy transport aircraft designed in Kyiv in the 1960s. Its first flight took place on 27 February 1965, with mass production beginning in 1966 and operational entry in 1969.
+ Pilot of Su-27 Dies During Combat Mission in Ukraine
Recognized as the largest turboprop aircraft in the world, the An-22 can carry up to 80 tonnes, with a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 250 tonnes. It is equipped with four NK-12MA engines, each capable of generating around 15,000 horsepower.
The aircraft was a pioneer in the super-heavy transport category, paving the way for even larger models developed later, such as the An-124 Ruslan and the legendary An-225 Mriya.
Source and images: Russian Ministry of Defence | Wikimedia. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
