Members of the Russian military responsible for a helicopter that was shot down earlier this month in Chechnya will be severely punished, the government says.

"It is absolutely clear that officers who prepared and conducted the flight blatantly violated instructions, were sloppy, slovenly and irresponsible," Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters on Friday.

Chechen rebels say they shot down the helicopter, killing 118 soldiers - one of the worst such incidents in the Russian military's history.

It was the biggest single loss of life Russia has suffered in its attempts to defeat the Chechen separatists.

	Mil Mi-26 Heavy lifting transport helicopter Introduced 1983 Can carry more than 80 troops and equipment Maximum speed 295 km/h Russia's airborne 'cow'

The slow-flying helicopter was carrying more than 147 people, well over its safety limit of 80.

In a withering attack on his own staff, Mr Ivanov warned that no-one would escape responsibility.

"The investigation will determine the extent to which everyone bears responsibility for this. They will not only be disciplined, but also answer criminal charges," he warned.

And he gave details of how those on board died after the missile had hit the helicopter's right engine.

"The entire hydraulic control system of the helicopter, including the [system] used for opening the rear door, was put out of order, and burning fuel gushed into the cabin," he said.

Many of the survivors of the 19 August crash are still in a critical condition.

'Cosy jobs'

Mr Ivanov has already sacked the commander of the army's air corps and some reports say it may be merged with the country's air force to ensure a single chain of command.

President Putin described the incident as a 'catastrophe'

The BBC's Nikolai Gorshkov in Moscow says that would mean some generals losing their jobs.

They have been trying to preserve the status quo by opposing any moves to reform the unwieldy conscript army.

The crash was a huge embarrassment for President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly said the war in Chechnya was over.

A used missile launcher was reported to have been found close to the crash site, a minefield outside the Russian military headquarters on the outskirts of the Chechen capital, Grozny.

It appears that the helicopter was flown despite an order by the Russian Ministry of Defence specifically banning its use for transporting the personnel.