Missing Mi-24 Helicopter Found in Chechnya

One of the two Mi-24 helicopters that went missing in Chechnya on the morning of March 20 was discovered in an out-of-the-way place in the mountains, reported Alexander Drobyshevsky, the head of the press service of the Russian Air Force. The fate of the crew is yet unclear, he said.

According to his account, the Mi-24 was discovered "from the air, but it is impossible to land rescuers there." A search-and-rescue party has been sent out to the spot.

"We have not yet found the other helicopter," said Drobyshevsky.

As Nikolai Deryabin, the head of the Russian defence ministry's press service, said earlier, both Mi-24s had been accompanying two Mi-8 transport helicopters carrying servicemen that were to ensure the safety of the Chechen constitutional referendum.