Russia's Largest Plane Shatters in Sky, Exposing Crumbling Air Force

A giant Russian military transport plane broke apart in flight and crashed this week. The accident points to a severe crisis within Russia's air force. The aircraft was an Antonov An-22, the largest propeller-powered military transport plane in the world. Russia operates only a few of these aging giants. It crashed during a routine training mission near Moscow, killing its crew. Experts say the disaster is a symptom of a wider problem. Russia's military aviation fleet is old, poorly maintained, and exhausted by the war in Ukraine. Pilots and mechanics are overworked, and spare parts are scarce. This was not an isolated failure. Russia has lost a shocking number of military aircraft in recent years, both in accidents and in combat. The loss of this unique and irreplaceable aircraft is a major symbolic and practical blow. The An-22's disintegration is a clear signal. Russia's air force, a key symbol of its power, is deteriorating under immense strain.