A Russian military Antonov An-22, the world’s largest turboprop aircraft, crashed in the Ivanovo region on december 9, 2025, killing all seven crew members on board. The loss of the aircraft – a relic of the Cold War era and a vital component of Russia’s strategic airlift capability – comes as the An-22 was reportedly nearing the end of its service life and represents a significant blow to the Russian Air Force’s heavy-lift capacity. An inquiry is underway to determine the cause of the crash, with early reports suggesting a possible technical malfunction during a post-maintenance test flight.
A Russian military Antonov An-22 transport aircraft, the world’s largest turboprop plane, crashed on December 9, 2025, killing all seven crew members on board. The incident occurred near the Uvod Reservoir and the village of Ivankovo in Russia’s Ivanovo region.
The downed aircraft, with registration number RF-08832, belonged to the Russian Ministry of Defense and was reportedly undergoing a post-maintenance test flight when it went down. The loss of the An-22 is significant as the aircraft type is becoming increasingly rare, with only a handful remaining in service globally.
Video footage of the crash circulating online shows the plane breaking apart mid-air. The aircraft rapidly lost altitude, and before impact, the empennage, or tail section, visibly buckled and separated from the fuselage. This structural failure resulted in a complete loss of aerodynamic control, leading to the aircraft disintegrating upon impact.
According to reports, the crew attempted to steer the aircraft away from populated areas before the crash, preventing potential casualties on the ground. The Russian Air Force has launched an investigation into the incident, with initial indications pointing to a possible technical malfunction.
The An-22 involved in the crash had been in service since 1965, accumulating over five decades of operational history. The aircraft is a relic of the Cold War era, and its loss represents a blow to Russia’s heavy-lift capabilities. The Antonov An-22 Antei is capable of carrying an 80-ton payload, making it a crucial asset for transporting oversized cargo.
❗️🛬🇷🇺 – On December 9, 2025, a Russian Ministry of Defense Antonov An-22 “Antei” heavy transport aircraft (registration RF-08832) crashed during a post-maintenance test flight in Russia’s Ivanovo region, near the Uvod Reservoir and the village of Ivankovo. All seven crew members… pic.twitter.com/XOupS9bU3e
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) December 14, 2025
Russian media outlet Kommersant reported that the aircraft was conducting a routine flight following scheduled maintenance. This has led to speculation about potential causes, including metal fatigue. After decades of service, structural components like wings and the tail are susceptible to weakening from repeated stress during flight cycles, potentially leading to catastrophic failure.
Given the aircraft was undergoing post-maintenance testing, errors or oversights during the repair or servicing process – particularly concerning flight controls or key structural joints – could have contributed to the in-flight breakup. While less likely, the possibility of encountering extreme turbulence or a pilot-induced maneuver exceeding the aircraft’s structural limits cannot be entirely ruled out.
The crash is particularly noteworthy as reports suggest this was one of the last remaining airworthy An-22s operated by the Russian Air Force. The loss of this aircraft is considered irreplaceable, as the An-22 pioneered the design of super-heavy transport aircraft, paving the way for later models like the An-124 Ruslan.
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