In December 2025, a military transport An-22 "Antei" crashed into the Uvodskoye reservoir in the Ivanovo region. The plane was carrying about 20 tons of kerosene. Three months later, the search operation was completed, but both engines and part of the wreckage remain at the bottom. Local residents complain of rainbow-colored spots on the water surface and a sharp chemical smell. According to the Telegram channel Mash, additional concern is caused by "liquid I" — an anti-icing additive that is added to fuel in winter. It does not freeze even at extreme temperatures and, when it gets into water, can change its chemical composition. The authorities have installed protective barriers and strengthened control over water intake. All water samples, according to official data, remain within the normal range.
An-22 engines are still at the bottom
The crashed An-22 was at a depth of about five meters, 150 meters from the shore. The search and rescue service recovered only part of the wreckage. Two engines, as well as, presumably, the remains of fuel tanks, remain under water.
Residents of the village of Ivankovo and nearby areas report a characteristic oily film on the surface of the reservoir. The Uvodskoye reservoir is a source of water supply for part of the city of Ivanovo. People fear that kerosene with additives is seeping through protective barriers and entering water intake facilities.
Fuel continues to get into the water. The plane was not raised completely, and the engines are still lying at the bottom. Residents complain of rainbow-colored spots and a sharp chemical smell
Reaction of the authorities and fuel composition
The government of the Ivanovo region assured that there is no threat to residents. Boom barriers have been installed at the crash site, and water samples are taken regularly. According to official data, all indicators are normal.
However, experts note that "liquid I" (based on ethylene glycol or isopropyl alcohol) is toxic and, with prolonged exposure, can accumulate in the body. Its addition to aviation kerosene prevents ice crystallization at low temperatures, but when it enters a body of water, the additive does not decompose quickly.
Technical information: An-22 "Antei"
- Year of manufacture: 1975 (Tashkent Aviation Plant)
- Flight time: about 6,500 hours, more than 3,000 landings
- Engine type: NK-12 turboprop (modification, as on the Tu-95)
- Load capacity: up to 60 tons
- Feature: the largest turboprop aircraft in the world
- Operating status: in the summer of 2024, the Military Transport Aviation of the Russian Federation announced the cessation of An-22 flights due to the maximum service life
The crash of the An-22 occurred during a test flight after repairs. All crew members died. A criminal case has been opened under Article 351 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("violation of the rules for preparing for flights").
Honored Pilot of the USSR Oleg Smirnov put forward a version about the technical nature of the disaster. In his opinion, a key factor in the investigation may be the fact that the flight was of a test nature and was carried out after the completion of repair work.