Helicopter shot down in Chechnya, 17 dead

17 people were killed when an MI-8 helicopter was shot down by Chechen rebels. The helicopter was carrying troops.

Seventeen people died when a military helicopter with troops on board was shot down in Russia's volatile province of Chechnya on Friday, Interfax news agency quoted unnamed military sources as saying.

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The MI-8 transport helicopter was shot down by Chechen rebels when Russian troops were carrying out an operation near the town of Shatoi in southern Chechnya, RIA news agency quoted a source in Russian troops in the Caucasus.
Interfax said the dead comprised three crew members and 14 servicemen.

RIA said the downed helicopter was one of three taking part in the operation. It said a gunfight was raging at the scene of the crash between insurgents and Russian forces.