A Tupolev Tu-154 operated by Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise has crashed in the Ukraine en route to St Petersburg, Russian news agency Rio Novosti is reporting.
The aircraft came down close to the Ukrainian town Donetsk around 15:40, and emergency services are on the scene. The aircraft was travelling from Vityazevo airport in the Black Sea resort of Anapa when Ukrainian authorities lost radar contact at 15:39. The crew sent a Mayday transmission at 15:37.
The Pulkovo Tu-154 was carrying 160 passengers and 10 crew.
The Russian emergency ministry says Pulkovo Flight 612 crashed 45km (30miles) north of Donetsk.
Pulkovo has six Tu-154B-2 and 19 Tu-154M deployed on its domestic and regional routes.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
