Idlib

Russian Mi-8 Helicopter Shot Down, Killing 5 on Board, Idlib - Syria

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• published: 01 Aug 2016
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Five Russians (including one woman) on board a military helicopter were killed when it was shot down by rebels in northern Syria, The Mi-8 transporter came down in Idlib province. It was carrying three crew and two officers, Russia's defence ministry said. The helicopter was returning from delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged city of Aleppo, it said. Pictures on social media purportedly of the latest Russian helicopter downing showed burning wreckage and bodies, with armed men milling around. Footage showed at least one body being dragged away. Another is seen apparently being trampled on. This is the single worst loss of life for Russia since it launched its air offensive in Syria in support of President Assad towards the end of last year. Moscow says the helicopter was not involved in a military mission, but was delivering humanitarian aid. That claim is open to question as Russia has mostly used its air power to back military offensives by pro-government forces in Aleppo and elsewhere. But it will further inflame feelings in Russia against rebels in Syria. Moscow has repeatedly said it sees little distinction between the rebels in terms of brutality and extremism. Graphic images posted online of the aftermath of the incident will add fuel to the fire. Russia has previously, though seldom, lost aircraft since it launched operations in support of the Syrian government at the end of September 2015. In July, two Russian pilots were killed when their helicopter was shot down east of the city of Palmyra by Islamic State (IS/ISIS). Last November, the pilot of a Russian Su-24 fighter plane was killed when the aircraft was shot down by Turkey on its border with Syria. A Russian marine sent on a mission to rescue the pilot was also killed when his helicopter was shot down. Russia is a key backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and is supporting pro-government forces with air strikes on rebels. Government forces cut off rebel-held eastern parts of Aleppo last month. Russia and Syria announced the opening of what they called humanitarian corridors for civilians and rebels wanting to surrender, but few people are reported to have used them, fearing they would be targeted. Opposition activists have dismissed as a lie Russian claims that 160 civilians had left rebel-held districts. The United Nations has warned that basic supplies for the around a quarter of a million people who live in besieged areas will last only three weeks. On Sunday, rebel groups south of Aleppo launched a push to try to break the siege, in what observers said was one of the biggest counter-offensives in months. Lightly armed they recaptured most of areas lost to the heavily armed backed by airstrikes government forces and Iranian backed Iraqi and Lebanese militants, Syrian Governments first defensive lines was breached, Capitalizing on their gains and the collapse of Assad Regime forces and moral, Syrian rebels launched the 2nd stage of its Battle "Anger for Aleppo" to break the Aleppo siege.