Russian-backed rebels ‘shoot down helicopter carrying Nato advisors’ over eastern Ukraine, local media reports

RUSSIAN-backed rebels have downed a helicopter carrying several Nato military advisers over the Ukraine, local media has reported.

The nationality of those on board or whether there were any survivors has not been confirmed.

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The Donetsk People's Republic - a pro-Russian group in the east of the Ukraine - confirmed it had downed the helicopter in the region of Krasnogorovka.

Its spokesman Eduard Basurin said: "There were several military instructors from NATO member states onboard during the combat flight."

Britain, Ireland and the US are among 28 countries that form part of Nato.

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the chopper was taking part in a combat mission against DPR targets in the area.

Several Russian-made Sukhoi Su-25 jets were reportedly seen in the area.

The incident could deepen the rift between Nato and Russia - which has supplied the rebels with weapons on their fight against Ukraine government forces.

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Russia seized the province of Crimea from the Ukraine in 2014, and rebels in the east of the country are believed to be attempting to follow the same route.

The US and Russia are currently at loggerheads over Russian support for Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

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