By Blessing Nweke

A Russian military transport aircraft has crashed in the Crimean peninsula, killing all 29 people on board, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry.

The aircraft, identified as an Antonov An-26, lost contact with air traffic authorities during what officials described as a routine flight on Tuesday evening. Wreckage of the plane was later discovered following a search and rescue operation.

The ministry said the crash occurred after the aircraft experienced apparent technical problems, causing it to strike a cliff. On board were six crew members and 23 passengers. Authorities indicated there were no survivors.

Initial reports suggest there was no external interference in the incident. Officials noted no signs of missile strikes, drone activity, or bird collisions, pointing instead to mechanical failure as the likely cause.

Communication with the plane was reportedly lost at around 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT), prompting an immediate emergency response. Rescue teams later located the wreckage in a remote area.

The An-26, originally developed by the Ukrainian aerospace company Antonov, has been in service since the late 1960s and is widely used for transporting cargo and personnel over short to medium distances. Despite its long operational history, the aircraft model has been involved in several fatal incidents in recent years.

The crash comes amid ongoing tensions in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. The region remains a focal point in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with military activity continuing across nearby areas.

Investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.