Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Wreckage found in Tatar Strait belongs to crashed Tu-142

RIA Novosti

11/12/200901:30

VLADIVOSTOK, December 11 (RIA Novosti) - Wreckage recently discovered in the Tatar Strait belonged to the Russian military Tu-142 plane that crashed in the area in early November, a search team member has said.

"A detailed investigation showed it belonged to the crashed plane," he said.

Eleven people were on board the Pacific Fleet plane that went down during a combat training flight on November 6 some 20 kilometers (12 miles) off the Tatar Strait, which separates mainland Russia from the Far East island of Sakhalin.

A recovery operation is underway, but is frequently suspended due to bad weather.