A Russian aircraft traveling from Moscow with radioactive cargo was forced to return to its point of origin due to a reported mechanical failure.
The UTair plane — reportedly carrying just under 42 pounds of radioactive cargo — was scheduled to travel from Vnukovo Airport in Moscow to Khanty-Mansiysk.
It was forced to make an emergency landing back at Vnukovo Airport after only 40 minutes in the air.
KREMLIN DECLARES OCCUPIED UKRAINIAN TERRITORIES TO PARTICIPATE IN RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
The emergency landing was required after a landing gear malfunction, according to Russian media outlet Baza.
The UTair plane was reportedly carrying 104 passengers and 5 crew members in addition to its cargo.
Passengers were reportedly transferred onto an alternative flight to Khanty-Mansiysk the same day.
International sanctions are in place on the sale of aircraft parts and maintenance due to its ongoing invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
The lack of resources has led to widespread issues with commercial aircraft, including engine fires and system failures.
Russian commercial airplanes have reported at least 180 technical malfunctions requiring emergency landings this year, according to a report from Newsweek.
It marks a staggering increase from only 61 similar incidents in 2022.
