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Nine Killed In Russian Military Helicopter Crash
Thursday, February 7, 2002
Islam Online
& News Agencies

"The military is continuing to fall apart because it is waging a strange war with a difficult enemy," said independent military analyst Alexander Golts. "This is why we have seen this series of crashes."

MOSCOW
Nine people were killed Thursday when a Russian military helicopter crashed in the independence-seeking republic of Chechnya, the fourth such deadly incident in the tumultuous region in less than two weeks.

The Mi-8 chopper crashed and exploded on impact shortly after its take-off from the Khankala military base outside the Chechen capital Grozny, AFP reported, based on Interfax news agency, which cited investigators with the Federal Security Service (FSB, ex-KGB).

The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and no Chechen leaders took immediate responsibility for downing the chopper.

"The helicopter crashed after reaching the height of 50 meters (165 feet). It spun down and exploded on impact," said a spokesman for the Russian air force, Alexander Dobryshevsky.

He said one survivor had been taken to hospital in a serious condition, and that a top commission had been sent from Moscow to investigate the incident.

"We hope that the survivor will be able to provide us with clues as to what caused the crash," an FSB official told Interfax.
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Dan