Two Russian pilots were killed when a Ka-52 helicopter crashed in eastern Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said, quoting Russian and international news agencies.
"A Russian Ka-52 helicopter crashed while flying routinely over eastern parts of the Syrian Arab Republic. "Both pilots are dead," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, citing the TASS news agency. According to the same sources, the first information indicates that the crash was due to damage.
On May 3, a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet crashed in Syria after taking off from the Khimim base. Both pilots were killed. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, that crash is believed to have been due to the fact that one of its engines "swallowed" a bird and not to hostile action.
The Ka-52 helicopter, known as the "Alligator" in the Russian army, is designed to carry out reconnaissance and combat missions - engagements against tanks, armored and non-armored vehicles, enemy infantry units, helicopters and aircraft, at the front and at the base, strategically regardless of weather conditions. It can operate day or night. It has a 30 mm cannon and the ability to carry weapons of various types weighing up to 2.500 kg.