A Russian army Mi-8 helicopter has crashed outside Moscow, killing all crew members.

The incident happened during a training flight around 8pm on Tuesday, the defence ministry said, As stated by Channels Television.

“As a result of a crash landing the crew of the helicopter died of their wounds,” the defence ministry said.

Russian News Agencies reports that three people died.

The Defence Ministry added that the helicopter, crashed in a secluded area some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the town of Klin outside Moscow.

It said that a commission had been dispatched to the crash scene to investigate the cause(s) of the crash.

Citing preliminary information, the ministry said that a “technical malfunction” was believed to have caused the crash.

The Mi-8 is a Soviet-designed twin-turbine helicopter and is often used to transport civilians or troops and ammunition.