5 dead after Russian chopper crashes in Chechnya

March 7 (UPI) -- At least five people died Wednesday after a Russian security helicopter crashed in the Chechnya region, authorities said.

Officials said nine people were aboard the Mi-8 transport helicopter, which belonged to Russia's Border Guard Service.

Two medical brigades were sent to the site of the crash in southwestern Russia -- a region controlled by an Islamist insurgency.

The crash follows another aviation accident involving the Russian military Tuesday, when dozens were killed after a military transport plane crashed as it was about to land in Syria.