Russian Bomber Explodes After Failed Takeoff

Russia has grounded its Tupolev long-range bombers after one caught fire and ran off the runway during training, according to the Defense Ministry. The plane, able to carry nuclear missiles, had no ammunition on board. At least five Russian servicemen were injured on Monday during a failed takeoff of a Tu-95 bomber in the Amur region, some 9,000 kilometers (about 5,600 miles) east of Moscow. "According to information from the scene, several crew members received injuries of varying degree while leaving the plane and were hospitalized," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. Doctors specialized in burn treatment have been dispatched to help the military staff, according to the Interfax news agency. Preliminary reports indicate that the accident was caused by an engine fire on the propeller-powered plane.