Syria war: Russian helicopter shot down, killing 5 on board

A Russian military helicopter has been shot down in Syria killing all five on board – the deadliest single incident for Russia’s military since its air campaign began last September.

The Mi-8 transporter was brought down by rebels, Russia says, in northern Idlib province.

According to BBC, it was returning from delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged city of Aleppo, the defence ministry said.

It is not clear which group brought the helicopter down.

An alliance of forces, including hardline jihadist factions, is the dominant power in Idlib.

Jabhat Fateh al-Sham – formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra – is among those active in the province, and so-called Islamic State has vowed to carry out jihad against Russian forces.

The helicopter was carrying three crew and two officers.