Russian officials are set to conduct extensive inspections of regional airlines in response to a rise in aviation accidents and fatalities over recent years, as reported by the pro-Kremlin publication Izvestia on Thursday.

According to authorities, the number of commercial aviation incidents surged from eight in 2023 to 17 in 2024, while fatalities more than tripled from 12 to 37 during the same timeframe. So far in 2025, major incidents have resulted in the deaths of 53 individuals, surpassing the total number of fatalities from the previous two years combined.

The report from Rostransnadzor, Russia’s federal transportation regulatory body, indicated that there are “systemic violations of aviation safety regulations,” including substandard aircraft maintenance, insufficient pilot training, and non-compliance with technical standards, which are contributing to these accidents.

These safety issues are also linked to Western sanctions, which have compelled airlines to rely on outdated Soviet-era aircraft that lack new parts. As a result, airlines are increasingly forced to perform maintenance using spare parts obtained from storage or from retired aircraft.

Industry experts mentioned to Izvestia that younger pilots tend to shy away from flying older planes, while experienced pilots are retiring, leading to a shortage of skilled personnel.

Officials have reportedly determined that regional airlines present a significant risk to public safety, prompting the need for a “thorough evaluation.”

According to a directive from the government reported by Izvestia, Rostransnadzor will carry out audits of 51 regional airlines in Russia from December of this year through December 2026.