Devastating crash of a military plane near Kharkiv

Near Chuguyev in Kharkiv region, at about 20:45 last night there was a plane crash of the An-26 (b/n 76) of the Air Force. The plane crashed and immediately caught fire.

This was announced by the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration Oleksiy Kucher in Telegram and the press service of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"A plane crashed near Chuguyev. There are casualties. I immediately went to the scene. There are people who survived. All victims will be provided with comprehensive assistance," the statement said.

The plane crashed while landing. In addition to the crew, cadets of the Kharkiv University of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were on board the aircraft.

There are dead and injured. According to preliminary data of the General Prosecutor Office, 25 people died as a result of the catastrophe, two survived – they are in critical condition in the hospital.

The department opened a case under article 416 (violation of the rules of flights and preparation for them, resulting in a disaster and serious consequences) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi reacted to the crash shortly afterwards:

"A terrible tragedy in the Kharkiv region.

The An-26 plane crashed. In addition to the crew, there were Ukrainian cadets on board. There are dead and injured. As of this moment, 20 deaths have been confirmed. We are looking for two people. The two who survived. According to preliminary data, there were a total of 28 people on board. There are simply no words.

The crash happened when the plane landed at the airport in Chuguev.

We urgently set up a government commission to investigate all the circumstances and causes of the tragedy. I instructed the Prime Minister accordingly. A search team is already working on the spot.

Tomorrow I will be in Kharkiv region", Zelensky stressed.