Key facts
- A Russian Tu-95 aircraft crashed in Amur Oblast during a training flight.
- Six crew members were killed and one was injured.
- The preliminary cause is believed to be a fuel explosion.
- The aircraft belonged to the Ukrainka strategic aviation grouping.
- The Tu-95 is a long-range strategic bomber that entered service in 1956.
A Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber crashed in the Amur Oblast region on September 29, 2026, while on a training flight, resulting in the deaths of six crew members and injuring one, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, as reported by Interfax news agency. The reason for the crash had not been clarified by Moscow at the time of publication. The Amur Oblast is located in the Russian Far East and borders China. Preliminary investigations suggest a fuel explosion on board may have caused the crash, according to the Telegram channel Baza, which is reportedly linked to Russian security services. The aircraft involved was part of the Ukrainka strategic aviation grouping, based at Amur Oblast's Ukrainka Air Base. Media reports indicate that Russia has been relocating strategic bombers like the Tu-95 to rear bases such as Ukrainka to avoid Ukrainian strikes on airfields closer to the conflict zone. The Tu-95, a long-range strategic bomber that entered service in 1956, has been used by Russia to launch cruise missile attacks against Ukraine from within Russian airspace. The incident highlights potential strains on Russia's aviation industry, which has faced challenges obtaining Western-made parts due to sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. In a separate incident in 2025, an An-24 passenger plane crashed in the same region, likely killing all 49 people on board.