Ivanovo An-22 Military Transport Aircraft Accident (2025)

Ivanovo An-22 Military Transport Aircraft Crash (2025), is a military aviation accident that occurred on 9 December 2025 in the Ivanovo region of Russia. The aircraft involved, an Antonov An-22 heavy transport plane belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), crashed during a test flight following maintenance. All seven people on board lost their lives in the crash.

Antonov An-22 heavy transport aircraft – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Course of Events

The accident occurred on 9 December 2025 in the afternoon local time in the Ivanovo region, approximately 250 kilometres northeast of Moscow. It was reported that the aircraft crashed during a test flight conducted after completion of maintenance and repair procedures.

The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the crash site was located in an uninhabited area and that the aircraft had fallen outside any populated zone. The crash area was quickly secured with a security cordon, and numerous search and rescue teams were dispatched to the location.

Aircraft and Flight Information

The aircraft involved was an Antonov An-22 “Antey” heavy military transport plane developed during the Soviet era by the Antonov Design Bureau. The An-22, powered by four turboprop engines, is known as the largest turboprop-powered transport aircraft ever built. It continues to be used by the Russian Aerospace Forces for transporting heavy and bulky military equipment.

The aircraft had undergone a scheduled maintenance process prior to the crash and had taken off to conduct a test flight. According to the Ministry’s statement, the flight was conducted as part of a “post-repair test flight”.

Crew and Passengers

Russian media and international news agencies reported that there were seven people on board the aircraft, five of whom were crew members and two were passengers. According to sources from AeroTime News and Air Data News, there were no survivors. Following the crash, official authorities initiated an investigation to identify the victims at the crash site.

In the initial hours after the incident, the Russian Ministry of Defence did not provide clear information about the crew’s condition, only stating that their fate was “uncertain”. However, local media later reported that all individuals on board had perished.

Post-Crash Response and Investigation

Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the site, and a commission from the Russian Aerospace Forces was sent to the crash location. The commission’s mandate is to determine the causes and technical details of the accident. The Ministry confirmed that an official investigation had been launched.

The official investigation has focused on possible technical malfunctions or operational errors that occurred during the post-repair test flight. The exact cause of the accident will be determined after completion of technical examinations. Authorities have not released any details regarding the aircraft’s registration number or flight plan until the investigation is concluded.

Aircraft Technical Specifications and Service History

The Antonov An-22 first entered service in the 1960s and remains the heaviest turboprop-powered aircraft still in active service. Developed during the Soviet era, the aircraft has a maximum payload capacity of up to 80 tonnes. It is primarily used in military logistics operations to transport armoured vehicles, ammunition, and heavy technical equipment.

A small number of An-22 aircraft remain in active service with the Russian Aerospace Forces. However, most of these aircraft are considered “legacy systems” and have undergone modernization programs.