What happened
The incident occurred during a nighttime operation when the aircraft departed Staraya Toropa Airfield, situated near Tver. The primary objective of the flight was to deliver supplies to partisan units operating behind German lines in the region of Belarus.
While approaching the designated drop zone at an altitude of approximately 700 meters, the aircraft came under attack from a German fighter pilot. The engagement resulted in the immediate destruction of the airframe, causing it to explode and crash into the area known as Yanovshchina, located near Krupki.
Tragically, seven occupants lost their lives in the accident. Only one passenger survived the impact and subsequent explosion.