A Russian military helicopter has spiralled out of control before crashing in a ball of flames this morning.

A video caught the horrific Mi-8 incident in which four servicemen died at the main military and civilian airport near Anadyr in the country’s easternmost region Chukotka.

The helicopter crashed moments after takeoff earlier today. It rose to a height of around 50ft but appeared out of control from the beginning.

The video shows the Mi-8 swaying from side to side and apparently flipping moments before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. Thick black some was seen rising into the air from the crash site.

More footage shows firefighters dousing flames of the crashed helicopter. ‘There were three crew members and one technician on board. All four died,’ confirmed regional governor Roman Kopin.

The helicopter was attempting a test flight after undergoing repairs, according to reports. ‘The reason for the accident could be a technical fault,’ a defence ministry source told TASS.

Two black boxes were found at the site, a Chukotka regional government representative told RIA Novosti news agency.

Military investigators were dispatched to the crash site, according to reports.

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