A Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft crashed north of Moscow, in the Ivanovo region, after an engine failed shortly after takeoff from Severny airfield. Eight crew members and seven passengers perished in the accident.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Il-76 aircraft crashed in the Ivanovo region at around 13.00 Moscow time (10.00 GMT) on March 12. The plane was taking off for a routine flight when one of its engines caught fire.

An Il-76 Transport Aircraft with the Russian Air Force has reportedly Crashed to the North of Moscow in the Ivanovo Region, after an Engine Malfunction occurred shortly after Takeoff from Severny Airfield; 8 Crewmembers and 7 Passengers are said to have been Killed in the Crash. pic.twitter.com/fdol55gkZA

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 12, 2024

The causes of the fire are still unknown. A commission of the Russian Aerospace Forces flew to Ivanovo to investigate the incident.

See also: Ukraine claims that the Il-76 downed in Belgorod was carrying high-ranking Russian officials

Eight crew members and seven passengers were on board. The Ministry of Defense did not provide information on their destination nor their identities.