AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE WERE KILLED WHEN A HELICOPTER WITH 11 PEOPLE ON BOARD CRASHED IN EASTERN RUSSIA, OFFICIALS SAID ON MONDAY, ACCORDING TO REUTERS. RUSSIA'S TRANSPORT MINISTRY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE MI-8 HELICOPTER CRASHED AS IT WAS DESCENDING TO LAND IN THE YAKUTIA REGION OF EAST SIBERIA. ACCIDENTS WITH MI-8S, THE WORKHORSE OF RUSSIA'S HELICOPTER FLEET, ARE COMMON, ESPECIALLY IN SIBERIA WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN USED FOR DECADES TO CARRY PEOPLE AND GOODS ACROSS THE VAST AND HARSH EXPANSES.
