The ministry said the Mi-28 helicopter gunship was part of a flight of helicopters performing aerobatics at the Dubrovichi firing range in Ryazan region, about 170 kilometres southeast of Moscow, when it crashed today.
It said the crewmember who survived the crash was in satisfactory condition. There was no damage on the ground.
The aerobatics show was part of the International Army Games, competitions involving troops from Russia and several other nations at shooting ranges across Russia that began yesterday.