DOWN IN FLAMES
Moment Russian IL-76 military plane crashes in fireball with flames spurting from engine in latest disaster for Putin
Shocking footage shows the plane plunging toward the ground with flames shooting from its engines
A RUSSIAN military plane crashed in a fireball after flames were seen spurting from one of its engines.
It is the latest disaster from Vladimir Putin's creaking military as the IL-76 went down in Ivanovo, Russia.
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The large aircraft is widely used by the Russian military as a transport plane for the war in Ukraine.
It is reported numerous bodies were recovered from the wreckage.
Dramatic footage captured the plane plunging from the sky with flames spitting from one of its engines.
Putin's military is wracked with corruption and its vehicles and aircraft are often poorly maintained.
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Russian military officials admitted the plane crashed while taking off from an airfield.
A spokesman confirmed there were eight crew and seven passengers on board when it crashed.
It was due to be carrying out a regularly scheduled flight when the plane crashed at around 1pm local time.
And it comes after a Ukrainian fighter jet was also filmed crashing after being blasted by a Russian missile.
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Ilyushin Il-76 planes - which have the Nato callsign Candid - are heavy transport planes which have been in service since the Cold War.
Being in service for 50 years, they are the workhorse aircraft of Putin's military - and are also used by countries such as China and Iran.
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It has been reported some 95 planes have crashed around the world since the 1970s.
The large aircraft are 150ft long, have a wingspan of 165ft and can carry loads of up to 400,000lbs.
Powered by four turbofan engines they can hit speeds of up to 560mph.
And they can be armed with guns in the tail or loaded up with 500kg bombs.
It comes as the world awaits a new Russian push in Ukraine - with Kyiv constructing some 600 miles of trenches and bunkers.
Putin's military is gaining momentum amid stalled Western support for Ukraine.
Both US and European support has been vital to Ukraine's efforts and military analysts have previously warned The Sun that the coming months are a crucial time to increase this if they hope to win.
The Institute for the Study of War, who have diligently monitored the last two years of the conflict, recently released some concerning updates from the ground in Russia.
They are using improved guided glide bombs to target Ukraine's forces.
Putin has replaced his chief Navy Admiral in an effort to recover from some of his Black Sea losses.
Early voting has opened for Russia's sham election - which will see a few days of symbolic vote-casting before Putin is doubtlessly granted another term.
And most importantly, all while building up his troops, Putin is pushing to make even more grabs for Ukrainian land near Bakhmut and Avdiivka.
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Not only do these advancements show signs of Russia's efforts to gear up for a renewed offensive push - they echo the previously leaked military documents that mapped out his path to war.
It's not clear exactly how many new soldiers the despot has managed to mobilise, but if a late Spring or early Summer offensive is coming - it could be cause for serious concern - making Ukraine's fresh fortification efforts all the more important.
Putin's war in Ukraine
ON February 24, 2022, Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin launched a brutal and bloody invasion of Ukraine.
Russian forces stormed the border from Belarus in the north, Russia in the east and Crimea in the south - taking over towns, torturing and slaughtering civilians.
Putin dubbed it a "special military operation", to "denazify Ukraine", which in his twisted mind he believes belongs to Russia.
In October 2022, the Kremlin signed treaties annexing the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia from Ukraine - dubbing them part of Russia.
This war is an extension of what Putin started in 2014 when he did the same with Crimea.
Russia's continued and bizarre propaganda throughout serves as a front for two years of brutalising the country and its people.
But while gruelling meat grinder battles are fought on the frontline, Zelensky's Ukrainian forces continue to put up an impressive defence.
And Ukraine has vowed to reclaim all of its territory - making some good strides.
In the Black Sea, they have taken out several of Putin's key warships and strongholds, but without key fighter jets, they lack sufficient air cover.
With a lack of planes, vital ammunition and tanks, Ukraine struggled to meet the goals of its 2023 counteroffensive on land.
The US, Britain and other countries in the West have sent money, supplies, ammo and training to Ukraine in an effort to help.
But concerns continue to rise around the world that the support is not enough and that if Nato doesn't step up to help push Putin from Ukraine, he will bring war to Europe's doorstep.
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