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Russian Military Helicopter Crashes In Syria


Russia's Defense Ministry says a Russian military helicopter has crashed in Syria, killing two military personnel on board.

The Defense Ministry says the Mi-28 attack helicopter was not shot down, but crashed in Homs Province early on April 12.

The pilots' bodies have been recovered and brought to Russia's air base in Hmeymim, the ministry said.

The cause of the crash was unclear.

"A group of specialists is working at the crash site to investigate the incident," the ministry said in a statement.

President Vladimir Putin announced on March 14 that Russia was withdrawing the bulk of its military contingent in Syria.

Around half its fixed-wing strike aircraft flew out in the days that followed.

But Russia continued to ship significant quantities of military supplies to Syria.

Analysts say the Kremlin has changed rather than diluted its military capabilities, increasingly relying on helicopters to support the Syrian Army.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax

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