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A high-ranking Russian military officer has been confirmed dead following a plane crash in Crimea that claimed 30 lives. Alexander Otroshchenko, who led the air force and air defence operations for the Northern Fleet's 45th Army, perished in the incident, according to Andrei Chibis, the governor of Murmansk region, where the fleet maintains its headquarters. The fatal crash occurred on March 31 when an An-26 military transport aircraft collided with a cliff in the Russian-occupied peninsula. Mr Chibis was cited by Russian media outlets confirming the senior commander's death, marking one of the most significant military losses for Russia's armed forces in recent months. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Russia's Defence Ministry stated shortly after the incident that a technical malfunction was the preliminary cause of the crash. The An-26, a Soviet-era military transport aircraft, went down in Russian-controlled territory, striking a cliff face with devastating consequences. All 30 individuals aboard the aircraft were killed in the collision. The ministry's initial assessment pointed to mechanical failure rather than any external factors, though investigations into the precise circumstances remain ongoing. The crash represents a significant loss of military personnel and equipment for Russian forces operating in the region. Mr Otroshchenko's death was confirmed by regional authorities several days after the incident occurred, with Murmansk's governor publicly acknowledging the commander's presence on the doomed flight. The An-26 aircraft model has been operational since the late 1960s, making it one of the longest-serving transport planes in military aviation. Originally designed for military purposes, the aircraft has also found widespread use in commercial freight operations over the decades. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Vladimir Putin risks direct conflict with American troops as Russia sends barrage of drones to Iran More than 25 sanctioned Russian ships passed through Channel despite Keir Starmer's crackdown threat Vladimir Putin caught helping Iran target Chagos Islands as Russia's three-stage attack plans revealed Despite its longevity and versatility, the ageing aircraft type has been linked to numerous fatal accidents in recent years. The model's safety record has come under scrutiny following multiple deadly incidents involving both military and civilian variants across several countries. In 2022, a Ukrainian An-26 went down in the Zaporizhzhia region of southeastern Ukraine, resulting in one fatality. Two years earlier, a training flight in northeastern Ukraine ended in disaster when an An-26 crashed, killing 26 of the 27 people aboard. The aircraft type has also proved deadly beyond Ukrainian borders. A 2020 crash in South Sudan claimed eight lives, with five of the victims being Russian nationals. Three years prior to that, an An-26 attempting to land in Ivory Coast crashed, killing four of the ten passengers and crew on board. These incidents highlight persistent safety concerns surrounding the ageing Soviet-designed aircraft. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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