Russian helicopter drops deadly barrel bombs just yards away in a Syrian city

The airstrike is purported to be an attack on the city of Darya in south-west Syria, by the government of Bashar al-Assad or more likely the Russian army supporting his regime.

In what must be a routine occurrence the man, reported to be a Syrian video journalist, calmly films the entire scene following the weapons through the air before they burst on already desolate looking buildings.

At the start of the film the large helicopter can be seen flying overhead, which could possibly be the Russian attack chopper Mi-24.

Then casually one after the other it drops four bombs which chillingly glide towards the ground in the bright sunlight.

Amazingly with nerves of steel the cameraman captures the moment of impact as the weapons explode precariously close to where he stands, bursting into clouds of thick smoke.

The man then speaks in Arabic, which reports say translates to, ‘God is the greatest. Darya. Barrel bombs on the city. God is the greatest.’

It is not clear whether there were any injuries resulting from the blast. 

Darya has been a frequent target of the Assad government and thousands of people have fled the city.

Attack helicopters have been used heavily since Russia entered the war, but the date of the bombing in the video is not clear.

The footage was released as major powers agreed to a cessation of hostilities in Syria in Munich last week.

Yet the deal was not signed by warring parties, the Damascus government and the man rebel factions fighting it.

The Syrian army has urged citizens to seek out ‘reconciliation’ with the government.

These so-called reconciliation agreements are often seen as a means to force surrender on rebels and have typically followed long and brutal blockades on the rebel-held areas.

(www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3447857/Man-captures-astonishing-video-helicopter-airstrike-Syria-stands-metres-explosion.html#ixzz40JLs8MdW)