Russian helicopter crashes into lake during training flight

The helicopter belongs to the Northwest Aviation and Rescue Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) and was conducting a simulated search and rescue mission over the lake, Xinhua reported.

EMERCOM announced that the wreckage of the helicopter was found 11 km away from the shore at a depth of up to 50 meters.

A search and rescue operation involving rescuers taking a hovercraft and riding snowmobiles has been launched.

The helicopter was piloted by an experienced crew with thousands of flight hours, according to the ministry.

AMK/PR