Russian military helicopter 'missing in Chechnya'

A Russian military helicopter carrying three crew members went missing in Chechnya, Russian news agencies reported today.

The Mi-8 helicopter, on a flight from the Chechen capital Grozny to the city of Magas in the neighbouring region of Ingushetia, disappeared from radar screens about half an hour after its 6.30 pm (3.30pm Irish time) departure on Sunday, the Interfax and ITAR-Tass news agencies said.

Helicopters and aeroplanes were searching for the missing helicopter.

ITAR-Tass said the search was complicated by heavy fog.