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An An-124-100 cargo plane operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines caught fire while landing at Chubu International Airport in Japan, according to a report by NHK cited by Meduza. The airport closed its runway for 15 minutes, and Japanese authorities are investigating; the extent of damage and whether anyone was injured have not been reported.
An An-124-100 Ruslan cargo plane operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines caught fire while landing at Chubu International Airport in Japan, according to NHK reporting cited by Meduza on October 23. The airport closed its runway for 15 minutes, while Japanese authorities began investigating; details about damage to the aircraft and possible injuries have not been reported.
The available account identifies the aircraft as an An-124-100 Ruslan, a large cargo plane operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines. NHK reported that the fire occurred as the aircraft was landing at Chubu International Airport. The report does not say where the plane had flown from, what cargo it was carrying, or what part of the aircraft caught fire.
The airport shut its runway for 15 minutes because of the incident, NHK reported. The available information does not describe whether flights were delayed, diverted or otherwise affected during that period. It also does not specify how the fire was discovered or extinguished, or how long the aircraft remained at the airport.
Japanese authorities are investigating, according to the report. No findings or official explanation for the fire were included in the initial account. NHK did not specify whether anyone aboard was injured or what damage, if any, the aircraft sustained.
A Brief Runway Closure at Chubu
The immediate confirmed effect on airport operations was a 15-minute runway closure. That meant the incident temporarily interrupted use of Chubu’s runway, though the available reporting does not establish whether the closure affected other flights or caused wider disruption. The short closure is the only operational impact specified so far.
The investigation matters because the cause of the fire and the condition of the aircraft remain unknown. Until authorities provide more information, it is not possible to determine whether the event resulted from a technical problem, an accident during landing, or another cause. The report does not link the fire to an intentional act.
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Earlier Security Concern in Leipzig
Meduza’s report also mentions a separate incident in August 2026, when a drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian An-124 at Leipzig Airport. That event involved another airport and is not presented as connected to the fire in Japan.
Germany accused Russia of attempting sabotage in relation to the Leipzig incident, while Russian authorities denied the accusation, according to Meduza. The reference offers background about a previous security concern involving an An-124, but does not establish a link between that case and the Chubu fire. No evidence tying the two incidents was reported.
“The aircraft caught fire while landing, and the airport closed its runway for 15 minutes.”
— NHK, as cited by Meduza
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Damage, Injuries and Cause
Key details remain unconfirmed in the reporting available so far. NHK did not specify whether anyone aboard the plane was injured or what damage the aircraft sustained. The source also does not identify the fire’s origin, say whether it was fully extinguished before the runway reopened, or give information about the aircraft’s subsequent status.
Japanese authorities have not reported an investigative conclusion in the cited account. It is also unclear whether the incident had any effect on other airport operations beyond the 15-minute runway closure. No evidence or official statement in the report connects the fire to the separate Leipzig drone case.
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The next key development is likely to be information from the Japanese authorities investigating the incident, including the cause of the fire and any assessment of injuries or aircraft damage. The initial report does not provide a timetable for findings or identify which agency is leading the inquiry.
Further updates from airport officials or NHK could clarify whether other flights were affected, how the runway closure was managed, and what happened to the aircraft after landing. Until those details are released, the confirmed account remains limited to a fire during landing, a 15-minute runway closure and an ongoing investigation.
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Key Questions
What happened to the Ukrainian cargo plane in Japan?
An An-124-100 Ruslan operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines caught fire while landing at Chubu International Airport, according to NHK reporting cited by Meduza.
Was anyone injured?
The available report does not say whether anyone aboard was injured. NHK did not specify that detail.
How long was the airport runway closed?
The runway was closed for 15 minutes because of the incident, according to NHK as cited by Meduza. The report does not say whether flights were delayed or diverted.
What caused the fire?
The cause has not been reported. Japanese authorities are investigating, and no findings were included in the initial account.
Is the fire connected to the drone found near an An-124 in Germany?
No connection has been established in the reporting. Meduza mentioned the separate August 2026 Leipzig incident as background; it did not report evidence linking it to the fire in Japan.
Source: rss
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