MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Verba missile system crews have downed a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter in the Sumy Region, which was flying towards the village of Kozinki in Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"On March 17, units tasked with coverning Russia’s state border downed an Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force near the Lukashovka settlement in the Sumy Region using Verba missile systems. The helicopter was flying towards the village of Kozinki in the Belgorod Region," the statement reads.