KHANKALA, April 10 (AVN) - A federal MI-8 Hip helicopter came under small-arms fire near the western Chechen village of Samashki on Monday morning, a spokesman for the unified federal headquarters told the Military News Agency.
The aircraft suffered minor damages and landed safely at an airbase in the Grozny suburb Khankala, the spokesman said.
In the past 24 hours, SU-25 Frogfoot attack planes have accomplished 21 combat missions. The main strikes were inflicted on earlier exposed targets in the Chechen mountains, including near the localities of Khulandoi, Dargo, Dyshne-Vedeno and in the Sharo-Argun gorge.
MI-24 Hind fire support helicopters were used widely in the interests of land forces. Besides, an AN-30 Clank air scout flew three missions to expose new enemy targets.
According to preliminary data, the aircraft eliminated nine fortified areas and strong points, six vehicles, three permanent firing points and four mortar squads.
The federals have suffered no losses since Sunday, the spokesman stressed.