Evidence That Mi-24 Helicopter Was Shot Down in Chechnya is Not Found - 28 March, 2003

The preliminary inspection of the crash scene of the Mi-24 helicopter, which disappeared in Chechnya in the wake of the referendum, does not prove that the helicopter was shot down. This was disclosed on Friday by Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Sergey Fridinsky.

According to him, the crash of the helicopter mostly likely occurred due to poor weather conditions.

However, the expertise, which was supposed to determine the cause of the crash, still continues, Fridinsky said. According to the Deputy Prosecutor General, this is a long and complicated procedure.

Two combat helicopters Mi-24 disappeared in Chechnya while escorting two combat transportation helicopters Mi-8, which were taking soldiers to the rocky Chechen area for security provision of the referendum on the Chechen constitution. Only one crash scene has been detected so far.