World Bulletin / News Desk

Two Russian pilots were killed near the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's western Homs province Friday when ISIL downed a helicopter belonging to the Syrian army, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

According to an official statement released by the ministry, Russian pilots were flying a Mi-25 helicopter. 

Russia’s Interfax news agency claimed in its report that an American TOW anti-tank missile system was used to down the helicopter.

Russian troops have been supporting the Bashar al-Assad regime since September 2015.

Western governments and Turkey have accused Moscow of targeting moderate opposition forces in its campaigns.