Russian Chopper Hijacked by Militants in Sudan Returns to Base in Darfur

According to Aviation Company, Russian helicopter allegedly hijacked by militants in Sudan returned unscathed to its base in Darfur on Tuesday. Earlier Tuesday, Russian foreign ministry said a helicopter with four crewmembers and five passengers operating in Darfur had been hijacked.

The aviation company that owns the helicopter, UTAir, said in a statement that the helicopter had returned to its home base in western Sudan. The helicopter was not damaged and the crew and passengers are safe.

"After landing at a stopover point in Sudan, the helicopter was detained by Sudanese authorities," the statement read. Monday, the chopper was en route from Al-Fashir, Sudan, to a village in Chad on a UN mission, Hindustan Times reports.

Russia 's Foreign Ministry said in a statement earlier Tuesday that four Russians and five Sudanese nationals were aboard the helicopter, which it said had been seized Monday by rebels. It said the men were not hurt.

Gambari told the Security Council on Tuesday that there has been "a spike in criminal acts and attacks against U.N. and humanitarian personnel" in Darfur, The Associated Press informs.