A Russian military helicopter ploughed into a radio mast near the northern city of St Petersburg today, killing at least five servicemen, the emergencies ministry said.
A ministry spokesman said the Mi-8 helicopter, belonging to the defence ministry, crashed into the mast 30 kilometres south of Russia's second city.
"We have already discovered five bodies, and we are looking for a sixth. According to our records there were six men on board," the spokesman said.
Earlier, officials had said only three men were on board the helicopter, originally identified as an Mi-2.
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Staff from the emergency services personnel and the local authority were at the scene. The local military prosecutor has launched an investigation into the crash.