Chechen terrorists might be involved in yesterday's Mi-8 helicopter crash

Specialists have already found flight recorders on the crash site

Russia's Military Office of the Public Prosecutor instituted criminal proceedings to investigate the reasons of the latest helicopter crash in Chechnya, which took place yesterday. The case was filed in connection with “the violation of flight rules and flight preparations,” RIA Novosti reports. It is not ruled out, however, that Chechen terrorists could be involved in the crash of the Mi-8 chopper despite official statements from the authorities.

Fifteen people were killed in the crash; one more person was seriously injured. It has been recently specified that the helicopter was carrying Russian border guards. Deputy Internal Affairs Minister of Chechnya, Sultan Satuyev, visited the site of the tragedy and strongly rejected the version of a terrorist act. “We know that the helicopter's propeller hit a power line and crashed. There is no reason to believe that there was a certain external influence, which made the helicopter crash,” the Chechen official said.

Specialists have already found flight recorders on the crash site. The black boxes have been delivered to Khankala (Chechnya), which was the chopper's city of destination, Itar-Tass reports. Experts say that the flight recorders have been partially damaged. The recorders of the crashed helicopter will soon be sent to an expert institute of the Russian Defense Ministry to be declassified.