Military plane crash kills one and injures up to six more in Russian Far East

One person is dead and as many as five more injured after a military plane crashed in the Russian Far East.

The Tu-95MS strategic bomber had been taking off when it skidded off the runway at the Ukrainka airfield, in the Amur region, at 11pm on Monday.

Eyewitnesses said the aircraft was completely destroyed, with officials saying the accident was caused by a fire in one of the engines. Only the tail section has been left intact.

According to the press service of the Defence Ministry several crew members were injured and taken to hospital. Sources say three people are being treated in Belogorsk, with the crew commander suffering severe burns covering 75 per cent of his body.

While there is no confirmation from officials, it is understood one person died and another is still unaccounted for. Totally there were seven people on board.

The four-engined Tupolev Tu-95, called the Bear under NATO classification, is a symbol of the Russian military and is often seen on reconnaissance trips over Europe.

First flown in the Soviet Union in 1956, it is expected to be used by the Russian Air Force until at least 2040 and is designed to carry cruise missiles. It is a powerful plane and is able to fly on long-range missions, with 42 of the 63-strong fleet based at Ukrainka.

As investigations continue into Monday’s crash, the entire fleet has been grounded until further notice by the commander-in-chief of the Air Force.

A statement from the Russian Ministry said: 'The Tu-95 overran the runway during acceleration. There was no ammunition on board. According to preliminary information, engine fire was the cause behind the accident.'