Update: Syria rebels release alleged footage of crashed Russian helicopter
Xinhua, August 1, 2016 Adjust font size:
A video clip claiming to show the wreckage of a Russian helicopter appeared online on Monday, just hours after rebels in northern Syria reportedly shot down the aircraft.
The footage showed people gathering around the wreckage of in the northwestern province of Idlib.
A still image was also released, showing people dragging what was said to be the pilot of the helicopter.
Another photo showed a Russian driver license, a paper of Christian amulet, and a military ID, which were said to have been found in the wreckage.
State news agency SANA cited the Russian Defense Ministry as confirming that a Russian Mi-8 military transport helicopter had been shot down after delivering humanitarian aid to the city of Aleppo in northern Syria.
It added that the plane was on its way back to the Hmaimim airbase in the northwestern province of Latakia, when it was shot down over Idlib.
The statement by the Russian Defense Ministry said three crew members and two officers were on board.
Later, the Kremlin said that all five aboard the military helicopter were killed. Endit