2020 Russian Mil Mi-24 shootdown

On 9 November 2020, a Russian Mil Mi-24 helicopter (NATO reporting name "Hind") was shot down by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. It was shot down near Yeraskh, in Armenia, a few kilometers away from Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as a result of fire from the ground from man-portable air-defense system. Two of the crew members died, while another was injured as a result of the attack. Azerbaijani authorities soon issued a statement of apology, saying that the shootdown happened by mistake and offered compensation.

Background

The shootdown occurred during a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is de facto controlled by the self-proclaimed and unrecognized Republic of Artsakh, which is supported by its ally, Armenia, but is de jure part of Azerbaijan. On 8 November 2020, the Azerbaijani forces seized control of Shusha, after a four-day long battle over the city.

Shootdown

The shootdown took place on 9 November 2020, near Yeraskh, in Armenia, few kilometers away from Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and some 70 km from the border to Nagorno-Karabakh, as a result of fire from the ground from MANPADS. The helicopter was accompanying the convoy of the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri. Soon after, Azerbaijan took responsibility for the attack, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that the shootdown happened by accident, expressing apologies to Russia and readiness to pay compensation. According to Azerbaijan, the Russian helicopter flew in the dark, at low altitude and outside the detection zone of the Azerbaijani air defense radars. Also, Azerbaijani authorities stated that the helicopter flew in close proximity to the Armenia–Azerbaijan border during a time of conflict and that the Russian helicopters were not previously seen in the area.