Russian military jet crashes after takeoff, 15 onboard (video)

A Russian Il-76 Ilyushin military jet crashed shortly after takeoff Tuesday, according to authorities.  The aircraft, carrying 15 people, went down due to a fire in one of its engines, as reported by Russia's defense ministry.

The crash occurred in the Ivanovo region, with Russian online news services indicating no survivors.  Unverified videos circulating on social media depict the plane with one engine engulfed in flames and descending rapidly.

Near the crash site, a helicopter is observed circling amidst a dark plume of smoke billowing into the sky.

BREAKING:

A Russian Il-76 transport plane has crashed near Ivanovo, 200 km north-east of Moscow. 12 Russians were on board.

Covert work by the Ukrainian intelligence services?

A lot of strange things happening in Russia today... pic.twitter.com/OL2tCQxp2l

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 12, 2024

‼️ Russian media report that the IL-76 made an "emergency landing" in a cemetery near the village of Bogorodskoye, about 2 kilometers short of the Northern Airfield in Ivanovo.

"According to preliminary data, there were 12 people on board. The board is half destroyed. Now there… pic.twitter.com/kcuQM6EwIR

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 12, 2024