Russian defence plane crashes, kills 15 onboard

A Russian defence ministry cargo plane crashed in the Ivanovo region, northeast of Moscow, killing all 15 people onboard, according to local media reports. 

The Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft reportedly experienced an engine fire during takeoff from a western Russian air base, leading to the crash, as stated by the Russian defence minister. 

The plane was carrying eight crew members and seven passengers. 

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No survivors have been reported. Videos circulating online show the aircraft on fire moments before the crash and a dark smoke plume rising from the crash site. 

Earlier this year, a similar Russian IL-76 military transport aircraft crashed near the Russia-Ukraine border, killing all 65 passengers onboard. 

Russia had then accused Ukraine of shooting down the plane, alleging that 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war were onboard for a planned prisoner swap.