The An-26 owned by local airline Africa-1 was carrying cargo and passengers when it crashed shortly after take off near Kinshasa.
"According to information obtained from the Embassy [in Congo], three Russians were killed in the tragedy: crew commander Valery Barannik, second pilot Sergei Starovoitov and flight engineer Ivan Bondarev," the ministry said adding that the total number of victims was still to be specified.
The Foreign Ministry said the aircraft had lost its right-wing propeller while taking off. As the aircraft fell its wings struck nearby trees, which broke off causing a huge fire which spread to residential buildings in Kinshasa's suburban area.
The Congolese humanitarian affairs minister said earlier Thursday that a crew of five Russians and 13 passengers were killed in the air crash.
"The aircraft was bound from Kinshasa to Chikata. There were 13 passengers on board," Jean-Claude Muyambo told RIA Novosti on the phone.
Muyambo said that in addition to the crew and passengers there are "numerous victims among local residents."
France Press earlier reported citing the UN Mission in Congo (MONUC) that 27 people were on board the plane with 25 dead and two crew members alive.
