Support The Moscow Times!

Missing Plane Likely Crashed in Reservoir

Rescuers on Wednesday found the likely crash site of a hijacked An-2 biplane that went missing more than a week ago with 13 revelers on board.

An emergency services source told Interfax that a large patch of oil was discovered on the surface of a reservoir to the north of Serov, the Urals city from which the light aircraft disappeared June 11. The source said this oil spot was presumably a trace of the missing plane.

The source also said search teams had been redirected to the reservoir and that rescuers specializing in working in the taiga had been deployed.

The latest rescue efforts come after more than 1,000 people, including Emergency Situations Ministry staff, police, hunters, fishermen and tourists, scoured the surrounding area Monday.

Sverdlovsk region investigators believe that the chief of the local traffic police and at least one of his subordinates were traveling on the missing plane, which they reportedly hijacked while drunk.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more