Russian teens face 20 years after burning military helicopter

Two 16-year-old Russian boys have jeopardized their futures. It all started when they agreed to a commission, which involved setting a Russian Mi-8 helicopter on fire. Enticed by the prospect of earning money, the boys accepted and executed the task. Now, their fate will be decided by the court.

Since the onset of Russian aggression against Ukraine, hatred towards the country governed by Vladimir Putin has been on the rise. This sentiment is limited to people outside Russia and includes Russian citizens who disagree with the president's policies. Within Russia, there have been increasing attacks on military recruitment offices, police stations, municipal administration buildings, and offices of the "United Russia" party. These acts are a form of protest against the war in Ukraine and the accompanying military mobilization, which many view as sending young men to certain deaths. Some people resort to actions that could result in many years of imprisonment in facilities known for their poor treatment.

On 21 September 2024, two 16-year-olds set a Russian Mi-8 helicopter on fire at a military base in the Omsk region. The boys threw Molotov cocktails at the aircraft. As a result, the helicopter quickly went up in flames and subsequently burned down. After setting the helicopter on fire, the boys fled the scene but were soon apprehended by the police. During questioning, the detainees stated that they received the commission to set the helicopter on fire through the Telegram app.

Roman and Anton informed the police that they were promised a large sum for "this job." It is unknown who commissioned the helicopter arson. One thing is certain – for the next 16 years, they will be seeing the world through the bars of a Russian prison. The District Court in the Central District of Omsk ordered the temporary detention of the teenagers for two months, from 21 September to 21 November. The boys have been charged with terrorism. Anton and Roman face 20 years in prison for setting the helicopter on fire.