Russian nuclear-capable Tu-95 crashes in Far East, killing six crew members

Russian military aircraft crashes in Amur region, killing six crew

A Russian military aircraft crashed in the far eastern Amur region on Tuesday, killing six crew members and injuring another, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry.

The ministry said the aircraft went down in an uninhabited area during a training flight and was not carrying ammunition.

“According to preliminary data, six crew members died, while one was injured and evacuated to a medical facility,” the ministry said.

Russian state-affiliated media reported that the crash occurred near the village of Krasnoyarovo shortly after the aircraft took off from Ukrainka air base.

Authorities have opened a criminal investigation, while an investigative commission from Russia’s Aerospace Forces has been sent to the crash site.

Initial assessments indicate that the aircraft may have crashed because of a technical malfunction.

Unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show flames and thick smoke rising from the crash site, accompanied by what sounded like explosions and crackling.

Tu-95 strategic bomber involved

The aircraft was a Tu-95, a large nuclear-capable strategic bomber developed in the Soviet Union. It first flew in 1952 and remains the only turboprop-powered strategic bomber still in operational service.

Ukrainka air base, one of Russia’s largest bases for long-range strategic aviation, is located in the Seryshevo district of the Amur region in Russia’s Far East.

The base was among the targets of Operation Spiderweb, a major Ukrainian security service SBU operation against Russian military airfields in June 2025.

During the operation, FPV drones concealed inside trucks with remotely operated roofs were used to attack Russian aircraft.

Ukraine said the operation destroyed or damaged more than 40 Russian aircraft, including between seven and eight Tu-95 bombers.

Russia subsequently redeployed surviving strategic bombers from its European air bases to Ukrainka.