Moscow has grounded its nuclear-capable bombers after a deadly incident in eastern Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has suspended all the Tu-95 Bear bomber flights after a strategic bomber suffered an incident in Russia’s Far East.
“The Tu-95 ran over the runway during acceleration. There was no ammunition onboard. According to preliminary information, engine fire was the cause behind the accident,” Russia’s MoD said according to a report posted by Interfax news agency.
Five crew members were aboard the Bear bomber that skidded off the runway and caught fire at Ukrainka airfield: one crew member was killed and another was seriously injured following the incident.
As a consequence, the Russian MoD has ground the Tu-95 fleet pending investigation. This was the second incident involving a Bear bomber in two years. In 2013, a Bear was damaged after a fire started behind the cockpit while the aircraft was taxing down the runway preparing for departure.
The Tu-95 is a 60-year old Russian four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. The aircraft is often intercepted by U.S. and NATO planes during routine long-range missions across the world.
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