Aeroflot Flight 411 was a scheduled passenger flight from Larnaca, Cyprus, to Moscow, Russia, operated by Aeroflot using an Ilyushin Il-62 aircraft. On July 6, 1982, while on descent to Sheremetyevo International Airport, the flight experienced severe technical difficulties. The pilots made repeated attempts to return to the airport but ultimately lost control of the aircraft, which crashed near the village of Mendeleyevo in Moscow Oblast. Tragically, all 90 individuals on board, consisting of passengers and crew, lost their lives in the incident.

Investigators later determined that the crash was caused primarily by a failure in the aircraft's critical systems, particularly in relation to its engines. This incident raised vital issues regarding the maintenance protocols and operational procedures of Aeroflot at the time, bringing attention to broader concerns about aviation safety in the Soviet Union. The events surrounding the crash were meticulously examined as part of the investigation, as various witnesses reported seeing flames trailing from the aircraft before it went down.

In response to this disaster, Aeroflot faced increased scrutiny and pressure to enhance safety measures and protocols. The crash of Flight 411 not only contributed to a growing body of evidence regarding the challenges faced by Soviet-era aviation but also highlighted the need for modernizing aircraft and training for flight crews. This event became a pivotal point in discussions regarding air travel regulations in the USSR, ultimately leading to improvements in aviation safety standards within the region.