Russian Helicopter Has been Shot Down By ISIS Over Syria Killing Two Pilots

The helicopter was attacking the advancing terrorists near Palmyra when it was taken down - according to the Russian Defence Ministry

ISIS militants have reportedly shot down a Russian helicopter over Syria.

The helicopter was attacking the advancing terrorists near Palmyra when it was taken down - according to the Russian Defence Ministry.

Early reports suggest two pilots on board the Mi-25 helicopter were killed.

A statement from the Russian Defence Ministry said: "The crew received a request from the Syrian unit's command to strike the advancing fighters.

"The captain, Ryafagat Khabibulin, made a decision to attack the terrorists.

"The skillful actions of the Russian crew thwarted the terrorists' advance.

"When the helicopter's ammunition was spent and it changed its course to the opposite direction, it was shot down by terrorists from the ground and crashed in an area controlled by the Syrian government army.

"The helicopter's crew was killed."

Yesterday, the ISIS-affiliated Amaaq news agency reported the group had shot down a Russian aircraft.

A translated statement released by the agency said: "By Allah's grace alone, the soldiers of the Khilafah launched an attack with heavy weapons.

The Map Showing the Area the Helicopter was Shot Down

"The soldiers of the Khilafah shot down a Russian helicopter as it attempted to raid their locations, which led to destroying it and killing those on board and all praise is due to Allah."

The incident now means 12 Russian military personnel have died during the Syria conflict.