“Late in the evening on May 29, the connection was lost with Mil Mi-8 (helicopter of Ukraine's Armed Forces, - 112 International). Four members of the crew deceased, along with the commander of the 16th Detached Brigade of Army Aviation of the Ground Troops of Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the message reads.
Flights have been banned in Rivne region, northern Ukraine; the reason is the tragedy that occurred there earlier on late May 29. It was reported by Mykhailo Shur, Deputy Commander of the 16th Detached Aviation Brigade, which lost four pilots in the accident.
'The investigation continues. It was not the first flight this week. We conducted the flight as scheduled, starting from 6 p.m that day. The aircraft had undergone complete maintenance', he said.
The official added that the military men were experienced specialists. 'Ihor Mazepa, the Commander of our Brigade was the experienced man, a First Class Pilot. He's been involved in the events that took place in eastern Ukraine. He's awarded for having completed a number of tasks. He saved a lot of wounded people from the dangerous areas on the frontline. The entire crew was experienced. Besides, most of these men joined the peacekeeping missions multiple times', he said.
A helicopter crew died in the crash in Rivne region on May 29, as HQ of the Ground Troops of Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Facebook.