Rescuers inspect wreckage of the Ukrainian military Antonov An-26 plane after crashing outside of Chuhuiv town, Ukraine on September 25, 2020. (File photo: Agencies)

At least 25 people died in a military plane crash in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region on Friday night, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine said. 

Two people in serious condition have been sent to a hospital and the search for others is underway.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted for violation of flight rules, which caused the crash, according to the office.

Interfax Ukraine news agency reported that head of the Kharkiv Regional Administration Oleksiy Kucher had arrived at the crash site.

According to Kucher, before the plane crash, the pilot reported failure in the left engine.

Kucher noted that such a situation is not critical for an experienced pilot and the tragedy's exact cause needs further investigation.

It was reported that an An-26 aircraft of the Air Force of Ukraine crashed while landing at the airport in the city of Chuguev. A total of 28 people, including cadets of the Kharkov National University of the Air Force and crew members, were on board the plane.