4 servicemen killed in Russian chopper crash

Rescuers have recovered the bodies of victims of a helicopter crash, the local reports said.

An investigative team has been dispatched to the accident site to conduct a probe, where the aircraft’s black boxes have already been found.

This has been the second fatal incident involving a Mi-8 helicopter in the last week. On May 19, 3 crew members have been killed in another Mi-8 crash near the town of Klin, 90km from Moscow.

Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and now produced by Russia. In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. Along with the related, more powerful Mil Mi-17, the Mi-8 is among the world's most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries. As of 2015, when combined the two helicopters are the third most common operational military aircraft in the world. (ILKHA)