Russian helicopter shot down
A RUSSIAN military helicopter was shot down in Syria yesterday killing the two officers and three crew members on board.
The Mi-8 transporter was attacked by rebel forces in Idlib province as it returned from delivering aid to Aleppo, the Kremlin said.
It was the deadliest incident for Russia’s military since it joined Syria’s civil war to back President Bashar Assad last September. Graphic pictures on social media showed burning wreckage and bodies.
Footage showed at least one body being dragged away and another appears to be trampled on. A rocket pod can be seen next to the wreckage, while members of the rebel Al-Nusra Front are pictured celebrating. President Putin’s spokesman said the Russians ‘died heroically’.
Russian officials say they are fighting extremists but have frequently targeted more moderate elements of the Syrian opposition. Human rights groups have accused Russia of using cluster munitions against civilians and rebels.
The US launched airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Libya last night, inflicting ‘major casualties’.
The assault on positions around Sirte came at the request of the UN-backed government, Libyan and US officials said. The Pentagon said the aim was to help deny IS a safe haven in Libya from which to launch attacks.