KHANKALA. May 17 (Interfax-AVN) - Rebels fired automatic rifles at two MI-24 Hind helicopters that were accomplishing a combat mission in Chechnya, a spokesman for the unified federal headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
The helicopters got several small holes but returned safely to base, the spokesman said.
SU-24 Fencer planes flew four combat sorties and MI-24 helicopters inflicted several strikes on small rebel groups on Thursday. MI-8 Hip helicopters accomplished two surveillance missions.
According to preliminary reports, the aviation attacks resulted in the elimination of two rebel strongpoints and a suspended bridge. In addition, the aircraft established three roadblocks on mountain paths.
All targets of aircraft were located far from populated localities. The strikes were inflicted precisely on targets, the spokesman stressed.
An AN-12 Cub and an AN-24 Coke transport aircraft flew a sortie each on Thursday. They delivered 30 people and some 9t of technical cargo to Mozdok, the main federal base in the North Caucasus, and back to central Russia. Transport helicopters airlifted some 60 people and over 4t of cargo.