MOSCOW, June 28 (RAPSI) - Russian authorities have demanded punishment for those responsible for the deaths of four Russian pilots in South Sudan in 2012, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

"On December 21, 2012, a UN-hired Russian helicopter, whose crew was working under a contract with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), was shot down leaving four pilots dead and the aircraft destroyed. Those responsible for the incident are still unpunished. This situation is unacceptable and has to be immediately resolved. UNMISS top officials have their share of responsibility for what happened. Russia will continue to firmly raise this issue at the UN," the statement said.

On June 20, a regular report of the UN Secretary General was published regarding the situation in South Sudan and UNMISS' activities in the country. 

"The UN Security Council plans to hold a consultation on the issue on the agenda. The UN Mission's mandate has to be prolonged in South Sudan. The report has also mentioned the considerable aggravation of the situation in South Sudan in terms of security, as well as serious challenges and threats in the military, political, humanitarian and other sectors. The country's authorities have to take immediate measures to eliminate impunity and to bring order to the security sector. In his report, the UN secretary general directly states that South Sudan's force structures are a threat to the safety of UN personnel," the ministry emphasized.