Russian helicopter crash in Dagestan kills five, including defense plant employees
A Russian Ka-226 helicopter crashed near the village of Achi-Su in Dagestan on 7 Nov, killing five people, including four employees from the sanctioned defense firm Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant (KEMZ). The cause of the crash remains under investigation, as Russia’s aviation agency classified the incident as a “disaster.”
- The crash killed five people, including four staff from KEMZ, a company sanctioned by the U.S. for its role in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Russia’s aviation authority has launched an official investigation into the cause of the crash.
- The Ka-226 helicopter involved is a twin-engine utility aircraft capable of carrying up to seven passengers.
RUSSIA: A Russian Ka-226 helicopter crashed near the village of Achi-Su in the Republic of Dagestan on 7 November 2025, killing five people, including four employees of the Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant (KEMZ), the company confirmed the following day.
The crash site lies in southern Russia along the Caspian Sea. Initial reports from Russian state media had incorrectly suggested that the aircraft was carrying tourists.
Victims From Sanctioned Defense Company
KEMZ, a defense manufacturer sanctioned by the United States for its role in Russia’s war against Ukraine, identified the victims on 8 November.
Among those killed were four company employees, including the plant’s deputy general director of construction and transport support.
The helicopter’s flight mechanic also died in the crash, while two others sustained injuries.
KEMZ specializes in the development of aviation and control systems for Russian military aircraft, including Sukhoi and MiG models — which have been used to carry out airstrikes on Ukrainian cities.
Investigation Underway
Russia’s federal aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, classified the incident as a “disaster” and said it would participate in an official investigation to determine the cause.
Footage purportedly showing the helicopter crash has circulated on social media, though its authenticity has not been independently verified.
The Ka-226 is a twin-engine utility helicopter capable of carrying up to seven passengers. In July 2024, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) reported that a Ka-226 was among several aircraft damaged during a sabotage operation.
Russia’s aviation sector has faced increasing strain under Western sanctions, which have restricted access to spare parts and maintenance equipment essential for flight safety.
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