Russian nuclear-capable bomber crashes, killing six crew members
The Tu-95 crashed during a training flight in an uninhabited area of the Amur region, while one crew member was hospitalised, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry.
A Russian military bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons has crashed in the country's far east, killing at least six crew members and leaving one hospitalised, according to Russia's Ministry of Defence.
The Tu-95 aircraft crashed during a training flight in an uninhabited area of the Amur region, which borders China, Russian state media reported on Tuesday, citing the defence ministry, reports Al Jazeera.
The aircraft was flying without ammunition, according to the state-run TASS news agency.
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Interfax news agency quoted Russia's military as saying that a commission from the country's Aerospace Forces had been dispatched to the crash site to establish the circumstances of the incident.
Unverified videos circulating on social media and purportedly showing the aftermath of the crash showed thick smoke rising from the burning aircraft.
The Tupolev Tu-95 is a large, Soviet-era strategic bomber capable of carrying and delivering nuclear weapons. It first flew in 1952 and entered service in 1956. The Russian military continues to use the aircraft, including in routine military exercises.
Aircraft crashes have occurred in Russia's Far East in previous years.
In July last year, an Antonov An-24 passenger plane crashed in poor weather while travelling to the town of Tynda, killing all 48 people on board.
In August 2021, a Mil Mi-8 helicopter crashed on the Kamchatka Peninsula with 16 people on board, most of them tourists.
