Russian Chopper Shot Down In Syria’s Idlib, All 5 Aboard Dead

MEP: A Russian Mi-8 helicopter has been shot down by ground fire in Syria’s Idlib province on Monday with five people onboard dead, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The helicopter had been shot down after delivering humanitarian aid to the city of Aleppo as it made its way back to Russia’s main air base in Syria, the Ministry said in a statement.

It is not clear which group brought the helicopter down.

The Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria has operated at Khmeimim air base since February. It contributes to peace talks between Syrian government and moderate opposition factions not aligned with IS, Al-Nusra Front or other terrorist groups.