AKIPRESS.COM - The Russian Defense Ministry says a transport helicopter has been shot down in Syria, but the fate of the five people onboard is still unknown.

The ministry says in a statement that the Mi-8 helicopter was shot down on Monday in Idlib province while returning to the Russian air base on the coast after delivering humanitarian goods to the city of Aleppo.

The helicopter had three crew members and two officers from the Russian reconciliation center.

The defense ministry underscored that the fate of the Russian servicemen is being investigated through all available channels.

On July 8, Daesh shot down a Syrian Mi-25 helicopter which was being piloted by two Russian officers. The crew received request form the Syrian side to strike advancing Daesh terrorists and thwarted the assault at the expense of their lives.