You're reading: Ukrainian Interior Ministry helicopter crashes, five killed

A Ukrainian Interior Ministry helicopter crashed in Kirovohrad region, killing five people.

The crash occurred at the Oleksandria airfield at about 1600, the Interior Ministry reported.

“For unknown reasons, a Mi-8 helicopter started dipping down soon
after climbing and collided with the ground. Three crewmembers and two
ground service specialists tragically died in the crash,” it said.

A group of investigators is working at the scene. A commission led by
Deputy Interior Minister Viktor Ratushniak has been set up to
investigate the incident.

Local media reported that a helicopter belonging to military unit
22-69 based in Oleksandria crashed not far from the local railway
station while on a planned flight. Emergency Situations Ministry rescue
teams and journalists from Kontakt-LTD television channel were first to
appear at the scene. However, military officials barred journalists from
filming the crash scene and attempted to seize the videos from them but
did not succeed.

The media reported that the helicopter did not burst into flames upon impact.