Military laser powerful enough to hit £1 coin kilometre away blasts drone out of sky

A Russian military transport plane on fire flew over houses before a reported crash with 15 people on board, according to the Russian Defense Ministry Officials said the Il-76 aircraft had 15 people - eight crew and seven passengers - on board when it crashed on Tuesday, 12 March, while taking off from an air base in western Russia. An engine fire during takeoff was the likely cause of the crash, the ministry said in a statement. Footage from Ivanovo shows the burning plane flying in the sky. Watch more on Independent TV: Click here to subscribe to The Independent: About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: Videos, dail