Two Russian pilots dead as Isis shoots down helicopter
The aircraft had been responding to a call for help from the Syrian military when it was downed.
A Russian military helicopter was shot down by Isis near Palmyra, Syria, killing both pilots.
Russian newspaper Sputnik reported that the Mi-25 aircraft was engaged in a test flight when when it received a request for assistance from the Syrian military, under attack from Isis militants.
Once it ran out of ammunition, the helicopter was shot down, according to Sputnik.
The pilots have been named as Ryafagat Khabibulin and Yevgeny Dolgin.
Both pilots have now been nominated for Russian state awards.
At least 12 Russian soldiers have been killed since Moscow launched its military operation in Syria in September 2015.