Daesh Downs Russian Helicopter In Syria Killing Two Pilots
MEP: At least two Russian pilots were killed on board after Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) terrorist group have downed a military helicopter near Palmyra, Syria, Russian military said.
The men were named as Ryafagat Khabibulin and Yevgeny Dolgin.
The two pilots were conducting a calibration flight on a Syrian Mi-25 (export version of the Mi-24) helicopter loaded with ammunition in the province of Homs on July 8,” read an official statement released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Saturday.
The helicopter had been attacking the advancing terrorists at Damascus’ request when it was taken down, according to the Ministry.
Both pilots have been nominated for Russian state awards.
“The crew received a request from the Syrian command group to help defeat the advancing terrorists and fire for effect. The captain of the aircraft, Ryafagat Khabibulin, made the decision to attack,” added the statement.
The statement noted that thanks to the skillful actions of the chopper’s crew the terrorist offensive had been thwarted, but the helicopter was shot down while returning to its base.
