Russia helicopter crash: 'Two killed' after aircraft downed by 'technical malfunction'

A helicopter crashed near a small village in Russia on May 23, according to local media reports. The incident, which is said to have involved a Russian Mi-8 military helicopter, happened near the tiny settlement of Naryshkino, in the in western Russia.

Initial reports shared by the Russian news outlet 112 on Telegram suggested the cause of the incident was a "technical malfunction". The post said: "A military helicopter crashed in the Oryol region. The crew died. Presumably, it was a Mi-8. Preliminary, the cause of the tragedy was a technical malfunction.

"Eyewitnesses reported that the machine was flying and suddenly went down sharply. The rotorcraft fell near the village of Naryshkino, slightly towards Lunochar, on the territory of an abandoned enterprise, right on old barrels in which chemicals were previously stored, and caught fire.

"The pilot and flight mechanic died. There was no ammunition on board. All the nearest firefighting units have already arrived at the crash site. There are no casualties on the ground."

The Russian military hasn't yet released a statement on the incident.