Russian plane crashes in China, media report

According to reports from several media outlets, a passenger plane operated by Russian carrier Aeroflot crashed in the capital of China today while on a flight from Moscow to Beijing.

The aircraft carried 285 passengers, including several children. It departed Sheremetyevo at 11:50 on 7 January, heading towards the capital of the Middle Kingdom, but failed to reach the airport of Shoudu by just a few hundred kilometres, disappearing from radar screens. The incident occurred around midnight Beijing time.

It is presumed that the Airbus 330-300 lost control due to poor weather conditions.

Update. Chinese authorities have denied the information about the plane crash; the aircraft landed successfully at Shoudu airport.