Incident Summary:

08/27/2014: Assailants shot down a United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) Mil Mi-8 Helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade near Bentiu town, Unity state, South Sudan. At least three Russian crew members were killed and another was injured in the crash. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

GTD ID:
201408270015

When:
2014-08-27

Country:
South Sudan

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Unity

City:
Near Bentiu

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (Diplomatic)
Name of Entity United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS)
Specific Description Mil Mi-8 Helicopter
Nationality of Target International
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Projectile (rockets, mortars, RPGs, etc.)
Weapon Details
An RPG was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) State Actors
Additional Information There is doubt that this incident meets terrorism-related criteria. Sources suspected that the attack may have been committed by government forces.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Unknown No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 3 Fatalities / 1 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 3
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 1
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Bodies Of Russian UN Aircrew Shot Down In S.Sudan Flown Home," AFP (World Service), August 29, 2014.
"UN Warns Of S.Sudan Famine After Aid Helicopter Downed," AFP (World Service), August 28, 2014.
"U.N. helicopter crashes in South Sudan, killing," Associated Press, August 26, 2014.