Newly released video footage has captured the catastrophic crash of a Russian Antonov An-22 heavy transport aircraft into the Uvodskoye Reservoir in Russia’s Ivanovo region on December 9, 2025. The footage shows the aircraft suffering a midair structural failure before plunging into the water, killing all seven crew members on board.

In the video, the aircraft appears to be flying normally before its right wing separates approximately 10 to 15 seconds into the footage. Moments later, the fuselage breaks apart in midair, consistent with eyewitness accounts that described the aircraft disintegrating before impact. Russian authorities have confirmed there were no survivors.

Aviation analysts say the footage is particularly striking due to the clarity with which the structural failure is visible, a rare occurrence in aviation accidents. The Antonov An-22 involved was reportedly Russia’s last operational example of the Cold War–era heavy transport aircraft and had recently undergone repairs prior to the test flight.

The loss represents a significant setback for Russia’s aging military transport fleet. The An-22, once the world’s largest turboprop aircraft, has been increasingly difficult to maintain due to its age, limited spare parts, and declining technical support.

Russian investigators have launched a formal inquiry into the crash, focusing on potential mechanical failure, maintenance issues, and structural fatigue. The incident has raised renewed questions about the airworthiness of legacy aircraft still in service.

As recovery efforts continue, tributes have poured in for the seven crew members who lost their lives during the flight. The crash marks the end of an iconic aircraft type and underscores the risks associated with operating decades-old airframes under modern demands.