Three dead after Russian military plane crashes and explodes in huge fireball – World News

A Russian Il-76 military plane crashed and burst into flames as it headed toward the Ukrainian war zone, killing three on board and injuring another six

Three people have reportedly died after a Russian Il-76 military plane crashed and burst into flames as it headed toward Ukraine’s war zone.

The cargo plane had taken off again after refueling when it crashed into a field near the city of Ryazan.

It was on fire even before it landed and then exploded into a huge ball of flames on the ground.

A column of smoke was seen near the Mikhailovsky highway.

Three aboard the plan were killed and at least six people were injured, who were hospitalized, it said.

It is believed that ten people were on the affected aircraft.

Several firefighters were at the location of the aircraft, which media agency BAZA reported was a military aircraft.

Rescuers tried to pull people out of the plane’s cockpit.

It was unclear what cargo was on the plane, which appeared to be en route to the war zone near Ukraine when it crashed.

It reportedly crashed after refueling in Ryazan and circled for a while before hitting the ground.

It had flown from Orenburg to Belgorod and the crash occurred immediately after takeoff from Ryazan.

The three dead were identified as Vladimir Petrushin, Nikolai Gorbunov and Dmitry Andreev.

The crash came after two separate explosions at a power plant in Buryatia and a gas station in the Urals, suspected of sabotaging vital facilities.

Aircraft similar to the downed Il-76 have been used to transport military equipment to the war zone in recent months.

Ryazan is 200 kilometers south-east of Moscow and not close to the war zone. The crash site was near shops and residential buildings, but it is believed there are no casualties on the ground.

The city is a key base for Russian paratroopers who have suffered heavy casualties in the war in Ukraine, which is now in its fourth month.

The cause of the crash was under investigation earlier this morning.