21.   Russia asked Angola on Tuesday to find three Russian pilots reportedly captured by rebels who shot down their plane in the southwestern African country.

22.   Russia denied Thursday that three Russian pilots shot down by Angolan rebels were working for the Angolan government and demanded the release of the captured crew.

23.   Russian pilots flew their first observer mission over Finland to inspect military sites under the Open Skies Treaty, Finnish defense officials said Friday.

24.   The Angolan Association of Pilots welcomed the decision, saying Russian pilots often are accused of flying while drunk and failing to maintain their aircraft.

25.   The air force said the Russian pilots acted within the Chicago Convention covering flights over neutral waters, Interfax said.

26.   The Dagestani government said four Russian pilots were killed Tuesday when their helicopters were shot down over Botlkikh.

27.   The first time was a couple of years ago when he went to an American military school with a Russian pilot.

28.   The four Russian pilots survived, and one was hospitalized with minor injuries at a clinic.

29.   The Radio Liberty report came the same day that the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Congolese officials had promised to free the seven captive Russian pilots.

30.   The three Russian pilots survived the crash, but their whereabouts was not known.