Russian Helicopter and Su-34 Jet Crash to the Ground in Bryansk

At least two Russian aircraft have crashed in Russia's Bryansk region near the country's border with Ukraine.

A Su-34 combat jet and a Mi-8 helicopter came down on Saturday, according to Russia's state-owned Tass news agency.

Russian online news channel Mash posted on Telegram that another Mi-8 helicopter and a Su-35 warplane crashed in the same area on Saturday.

This was also reported by Russian media outlet Readovka, who said: "Two helicopters and fighter-bombers were shot down by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Our pilots were ambushed and we are talking about a carefully planned operation." Newsweek has been unable to independently verify reports of the additional crashes.

Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence at security consultancy firm Le Beck International, shared footage he claimed showed the first Mi-8 helicopter being "shot down" on Twitter.

But Russian authorities on Saturday insisted the cause of the crash was engine failure.

Two people died in the helicopter blast, according to Tass. Speaking to the news agency, a source said: "The helicopter crashed in the city of Klintsy, according to preliminary data, due to an engine fire."

Videos shared on Twitter reportedly showed the helicopter crashing to the ground, after it was rocked by an explosion whilst airborne.

Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry, also shared a video that appeared to show the burning wreckage of the Russian Su-34 jet.

"Russian Telegram channels post a video from Klintsy, Bryansk region, saying it is a Su aircraft that is burning," he tweeted.

He later shared footage purporting to show the Su-34 falling from the sky, before crashing in a wooded area creating a large fire.

Tass also confirmed that the Su-34 jet crashed in Bryansk region on Saturday, citing emergency services. Addressing the news agency, a source said: "The Su-34 crashed near the Ukrainian border. The fate of those on board is being established."

They added the cause of the crash is being investigated.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's defense ministry for comment via email.

Over the past few days Russian forces have lost ground around Bakhmut, a Ukrainian city they have been trying to capture for several months. Ukraine is expected to launch a counter-offensive in the coming months, though earlier this week President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned that "we need to wait."

Update 05/13/2023 9:41 a.m. ET: This articles was updated with more information.