UN chopper mistaken for Sudanese aircraft, S. Sudan envoy saysDecember 28, 2012 - 19:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A UN helicopter with Russian crew that was downed in South Sudan last week was probably mistaken for one of the Sudanese aircraft with UN markings that frequently violate South Sudan’s airspace, South Sudan’s ambassador to Moscow said in Friday, December 28, RIA Novosti said. “Sudanese planes with UN logos have repeatedly been spotted in various regions of South Sudan. This leads to terrible confusion, it might have been the cause of this tragic incident,” Chol Deng Alack said. The helicopter was shot down last Friday on a reconnaissance flight over the state of Jonglei in eastern South Sudan, the UN said in a statement. All four Russian crew members on board were killed. South Sudan’s army has apologized for the downing, saying soldiers mistook the helicopter for an aircraft carrying arms to rebel forces, army spokesman Philip Aguer said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |