According to the local emergency services, the incident occurred near the town of Sokolovy, which is located 15 km from Saratov.

"A Mi-8 helicopter has crashed near the settlement of Sokolovy", a spokesperson for the emergency services said, adding the circumstances of the incident are being determined.

The military have confirmed the incident, stating that the crew managed to escape the aircraft. According to preliminary reports, the crash could have been caused by the breakage of a landing gear leg.