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A Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in Russia’s Amur region on September 29, killing six crew members and injuring one, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry.
The aircraft crashed near the village of Krasnoyarovo in the Russian Far East. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the crash and said six members of the crew were killed, while one survived with injuries.
The bomber was assigned to the Ukrainka Air Base in Amur region, which hosts part of Russia’s strategic aviation force. The Tu-95 is a long-range strategic bomber that Russia has repeatedly used to launch cruise missiles against Ukraine from Russian airspace.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not initially provide a cause for the crash.
The Telegram channel Baza, which has links to Russian security services, reported that a fuel explosion on board was considered a preliminary possible cause. That information has not been independently confirmed.
The crash comes as Russia continues to rely on its remaining Tu-95 fleet for long-range attacks against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have previously said Russia has only a limited number of operational Tu-95 bombers remaining.
In late August, Ukraine’s Security Service said it had damaged a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber at Engels air base.
