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Five dead as Russian helicopter shot down in Syria

In other videos, the body of a purported Russian soldier is being dragged by the legs while an unidentified person stands on another body.

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The Kremlin expressed condolences Monday after the Ministry of Defense announced that its Mi-8 helicopter had crashed in Idlib after it was shot down.

Global human rights groups have repeatedly accused Russian Federation of hitting civilians and using cluster munitions since it began its aerial campaign in Syria.

“Such threats are not able in any way to impact Russia’s and President Vladimir Putin’s consistent policy on the fight against worldwide terrorism, which of course will continue in all directions”, Peskov was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency.

Russian Federation has been supporting president Bashar al-Assad’s forces as they fight rebel groups ranging from the so-called Islamic State to more moderate forces in a battle to control Syria. A number of militant groups, including those tied to al Qaeda, are prevalent in Idlib. Idlib province has a large number of fighters for the Nusra Front, an al-Qaida affiliate that recently announced it was breaking off, as well as other rebel groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, including USA -backed moderates.

Russia’s air campaign in Syria, launched in September, has shored up Assad’s regime, which was on the verge of collapse after a series of military defeats previous year, and helped it gain key ground around Aleppo and elsewhere.

The development came a day after Syrian rebels launched the offensive to break up the government’s siege of eastern, rebel-held part of the city.

The authenticity of the pictures could not be independently confirmed.

The Syrian and Russian governments say three humanitarian corridors have been opened to allow for the distribution of badly needed food and medical aid to civilians and to provide residents – along with rebels who choose to surrender – the opportunity to leave. Right now, according to Fox News, there are about 300,000 people trapped in the city with little to no food and medical supplies, which is why Russian Federation sent aid by helicopter.

United Nations deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters that United Nations special envoy Staffan de Mistura doesn’t want just want talks but “negotiations that can accomplish something”.

That raises the prospect – which could cause a major diplomatic incident – of the helicopter having been brought down by a USA -supplied weapon.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S.is focusing on efforts to “get a cessation of hostilities in place that is meaningful”.

“The road that runs through Ramussa is the main supply route for regime forces going to the areas they control in western Aleppo”, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

This is the third Russian helicopter incident that resulted in casualties in 2016.

The Monday deaths bring the number of Russians who have died as part of Moscow’s intervention in Syria up to 18, according to Agence France-Presse.

The ministry said three crew members and two officers were onboard and that their fate was unclear.

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In July, an Mi-25 crashed near Palmyra, killing two Russian pilots, and in April, an Mi-28 attack helicopter crashed near the city of Homs.

A Russian Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter