Washington DC plane crash: Who were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the Russian skating couple onboard?

World champion Russian ice skating pair Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were reportedly among the 64 passengers on a plane that crashed in Washington, D.C.

The plane collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday evening and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport.

More than 60 people are feared dead in the accident, according to a Reuters report.

Who are Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov?

Naumov, 55, and Shishkova, 52, are a Russian ice-dancing duo, known for their performances in figure skating competitions. Naumov was paired with Shishkova in 1985 after his previous partner fell ill, marking the beginning of their partnership.

The pair achieved a lot of success on the ice, with top-five finishes at the 1991 World Championships and the 1992 Albertville Olympics, as well as silver and bronze medals at the European Championships.

Also Read : Who are the 3 Israeli hostages released by Hamas in Gaza

In 1994, they claimed bronze at the World Championships and gold at the World Championships in Japan. After retiring, they transitioned to professional coaching in the US and married in 1995 in Russia.

Shishkova and Naumov's Coaching Career

After failing to make the Russian Olympic team for the 1998 Winter Olympics, Shishkova and Naumov retired from amateur competition and transitioned to professional skating and coaching.

In 1998, they moved to Simsbury, Connecticut, to coach at the International Skating Center. Over the years, they trained several skaters in the United States, helping them develop their skills.

Their son, Maxim, born in 2001, followed in their footsteps and competed for the US national team. After the US Championships in Kansas on January 26, Maxim was named as an alternate for the 2025 US team.

Also Read : Billionaire Ray Dalio, speaking on DeepSeek, says Chinese AI strategy will rely on very inexpensive chips embedded in manufactured goods, and reiterates that AI is a war that no country can afford to lose

FAQs

1. Where was the plane en route to?
The plane was in its way to Washington, D.C., from Wichita, Kansas, when it was involved in a mid-air collision with a helicopter.

2. Was their son, Maxim, on board the plane?
Reports from Russia's TASS and RIA news agencies suggest that their son Maxim may also have been on the plane.