World
15:39, 20-Sep-2017
Russian military helicopter accidentally fires on spectators during war games
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A Russian military helicopter accidentally fired on spectators during war games in western Russia, injuring several people, news reports said on Tuesday.
The Russian military acknowledged that a helicopter accidentally fired a rocket during drills, but insisted that no one was hurt in the incident and refrained from saying when it happened.
Russian news agency Life said a preliminary investigation showed the incident was caused by a short-circuit in the helicopter’s electric system that resulted in the accidental launch of the rocket.
The Russian military’s Western Military District acknowledged on Tuesday that video footage of the incident was genuine.
However, it denied that it happened on Monday, but didn’t specify when or where the incident took place. It also insisted that no one was hurt, and just one military truck was damaged.
The Zapad 2017 maneuvers, held jointly by Russia and Belarus, started on Thursday at several firing ranges in both countries and run until Wednesday.
Source(s): AP