
A Russian military helicopter has been shot down by Isis near Palmyra, Syria, killing both pilots, the men have been named as Ryafagat Khabibulin and Yevgeny Dolgin.
The Mi-25 aircraft was reportedly conducting a test flight in the area when it received a request for assistance from the Syrian military, who were under attack from group of Isis militants to the east of Palmyra.
But after running out of ammunition, the helicopter was shot down, Russian news agency Sputnik reported.
A statement from the defence ministry said: “The crew received a request from the Syrian unit’s command to strike the advancing fighters. The captain, Ryafagat Khabibulin, made a decision to attack the terrorists. READ MORE OF THIS REPORT