Five Killed As Russia Helicopter Shot Down In Syria

Posted by Wole Oduwole Featured, Latest Headlines, World News Monday, August 1st, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Five persons including three crew members and two officers have been killed as a Russian military helicopter was shot down in Syria.

The attack which has been described as the deadliest single incident experienced by Russia’s military since its air campaign began last year’s September, involved a Mi-8 transporter. Russia alleged that it was brought down by rebels, in the northern Idlib province.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The so called Islamic State (IS) alliance forces in Idlib, including hardline dominant
Jabhat Fateh al-Sham – formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra and IS have vowed to carry out deadly attack against Russian forces.

Picture footage posted on social media – purportedly of the latest Russian helicopter downing, showed burning wreckage and bodies, with armed men milling around.

Russia is a strong backer of the embattled Syrian President on rebels.

Russia had severally lost aircraft in the past since it launched her allied operations in support of the Syrian government in September 2015.

Last month, two Russian pilots were killed when their helicopter was shot down east of the city of Palmyra by so-called IS.

In November 2015, the Pilot of a Russian Su-24 fighter plane was killed when the aircraft was shot down by Turkey on its border with Syria.

Similarly, a Russian marine sent on a mission to rescue the pilot was also killed when his helicopter was shot down.