Two Russian pilots, Congolese officer die in helicopter crashes

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Two helicopters crashed while on a reconnaissance mission against rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing two Russian pilots and a Congolese officer, the military said.

The Russian-built MI-24 copters crashed in "bad weather" in mountainous terrain Friday east of the country near the borders with Rwanda and Uganda, Gen. Leon Mushale, the Congo's operational commander in North Kivu Province, told reporters in Goma.

Two officers with Congo's armed forces and three Russian passengers were also injured.

Lambert Mende, a government spokesperson, said that it hasn't been determined what brought down the helicopters near the borders with Rwanda and Uganda.

In 2013, Congo forces defeated the M23 rebel group and several hundred fighters fled the country. But Rwanda's Defense Ministry said about 30 unarmed people claiming to be M23 members crossed the border last weekend into Congo.

Earlier this month, Uganda's government said more than 100 former M23 rebels trying to return to Congo from camps in Uganda were detained.

The MI-24 helicopters, which can carry two to three crew members and eight troops, have been in operation since 1973 and about 2,300 were built.