(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) MOSCOW, Jan 3 (KUNA) -- A Russian Military Mi-24 combat helicopter crashed in Syria on December 31, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

A Russian Mi-24 helicopter crashed en route to the Hama airfield due to a technical malfunction, the Interfax quoted ministry sources as saying. Both pilots died as the helicopter made a rough landing 15 kilometers from the destination airfield.

The flight engineer on board was injured in the accident and urgently evacuated by a search and rescue team to the Hmeimim airfield, where he was provided with medical aid.

"The Mi-24 did not come under fire from the ground," it stressed.

The Mi-24, informally known as "Crocodile", is an attack helicopter and is one of the most widely used helicopters in the world.

as.asa.msa

MENAFN0301201800710000ID1096304462