Russia demands S. Sudan's compensation for helicopter downed in 2012
MOSCOW. June 7 (Interfax) - Russia has reminded South Sudan of the need to pay compensations to Nizhnevartovskavia airline company and families of the crew of the Mil-8 helicopter which was shot down over that country in December 2012.
The issue was discussed at a meeting between the Russian Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and South Sudanese President Taban Gai on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
"The Russian side emphasized the need for swift resolution of the issue of the government of the Republic of South Sudan reimbursing the losses to Nizhnevartovskavia for the Mi-8AMT helicopter shot down in South Sudan in December 2012 and paying compensations to relatives of the dead Russian members of the crew," the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its website on Friday.
On December 21, 2012, Nizhnevartovskavia's Mi-8 helicopter was shot down over South Sudan. All five crew members, including four Russians, were killed. The helicopter had been working under a contract with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). It had the UN insignia and was making a planned UNMISS flight at the time.