The names of the victims were unknown, RIA Novosti reported.

"A Robinson R-44 helicopter crashed near the village of Kuzmino in the Smolensk Region," a government spokesman said. "Two people died and one person was taken to a local hospital with serious burns."

The unnamed official added, "The helicopter was completely burnt and its call signs were unrecognizable."

An investigation into the accident and the identity of the victims is under way. The Robinson R44 helicopter is a light, four-seat civilian vehicle made by the Robinson Helicopter Co.