In a tragic incident on Tuesday, a Russian military transport plane, an Il-76, crashed during takeoff from an air base in the Ivanovo region, western Russia. The aircraft was carrying 15 people, including eight crew members and seven passengers, as per the Defence Ministry.

The cause of the crash is believed to be an engine fire that occurred during takeoff. The Defence Ministry has dispatched a team of investigators to Ivanovo to further examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

No information regarding casualties or survivors has been provided at this time. Ivanovo Governor, Stanislav Voskresensky, extended his condolences to the families of the victims and confirmed that no damage was reported on the ground.

This incident comes amid reports of multiple Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia overnight. In the past, Ukrainian drones have targeted military air bases deep within Russian territory. The increasing number of flights from Russia since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine has been accompanied by a rise in plane crashes, according to military experts.

The crash of the Russian military transport plane adds to the series of unfortunate incidents involving high-value aircraft during the Ukrainian war. It serves as a reminder of the risks faced by military personnel in these critical operations.

As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge regarding the cause of the engine fire and its impact on the safety of the aircraft. The Defence Ministry remains committed to determining the exact circumstances surrounding the crash and implementing any necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims during this difficult time, awaiting further updates on the situation.