Teens accused of burning Russian helicopter under Ukraine's orders
The Russians lost a Mi-8/17 helicopter due to activities by teenagers who set it ablaze near Omsk. We present the background of this event and the lost machine's performance.
A post appeared on the Telegram channel of the Russian Rosguard regarding the arrest of two teenagers who once again burned a Mi-8/17 helicopter near Omsk. The Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly instructed the teenagers in exchange for financial compensation. However, they did not receive this and were caught, and all correspondence was reportedly deleted.
It is worth noting, however, that much of the information provided by Russian media or government representatives is part of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war waged by the Russian Federation.
Mi-8/17 - the workhorse of the Russian helicopter fleet
Helicopters from the Mi-8/17 family are among the most popular transport machines in the world. The first basic version was developed in the 1960s, but the design is still being developed today.
Structurally, it is a twin-engine helicopter that can carry, in addition to a three-person crew, up to 24 or in newer variants, 37 soldiers, 12 stretchers with the wounded, 4 tonnes (around 4000 kilograms) of internal cargo, or 5 tonnes (around 5000 kilograms) of suspended cargo. The helicopter has a ramp, facilitating quick deployment or loading/unloading of heavy goods.
It is a valued design on the international market due to its reliability and ease of repair. It is worth noting that there are also armed versions equipped with six pylons for carrying weapons, such as S-8 unguided rocket launchers or internal stations with machine guns. Ukrainians use the latter to hunt Shaheds.
The Russians entered the war with about 800 helicopters of this type, of which at least 43 units had been destroyed. Some of the units were even shot down using FPV drones. The fleet size comprises various types of transport versions, but specialised units, such as the Mi-8MTPR-1, are also used for electronic warfare.
It is worth noting that newer transport variants, the Mi-8AMTSZ, delivered after 2014, are equipped with, for example, the L-370 Vitebsk self-defence system with sensors operating in ultraviolet light or infrared warning of incoming missiles. These are paired with flare launchers, chaff (measures designed to confuse radar-guided missiles), or laser emitters that blind the missile's guidance head (the rarest versions).
