‘Trophy’ Mi-8 Helicopter To Be On Combat Duty With Ukrainian Forces Soon

The Russian helicopter was taken to Ukraine during a unique operation.

The Russian Mi-8 helicopter, transferred to Ukraine during a unique operation of the Defense Intelligence, will soon be on combat duty of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This was reported by the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on Telegram.

“The Ukrainian fleet of combat helicopters will soon be replenished with the “trophy” Mi-8 AMTSh,” the report says.

As noted, the operation, thanks to which it was possible to obtain this aircraft, is the best example of fruitful cooperation between the National Police (Department of Internal Security) and the Defense Intelligence.

“The multi-month special operation required the involvement of the best specialists from both departments and the regime of maximum secrecy. After all, the occupying country is taking unprecedented security measures to prevent any contact between its aviators and “unverified” persons,” the Defense intelligence said.

Reportedly, for a start, intelligence officers were able to determine that one of the Russian military pilots did not approve of the decision of the country's political leadership to allow a full-scale war.

The next step is to establish direct contact with the specified military. And in the end, obtaining consent for productive cooperation.

Also, the most important element of the special operation, as noted in the Defense Intelligence, were security guarantees for the pilot's family. His family was safely transported to Ukraine.

The finale of the operation is a helicopter flight to the specified point and transfer to the Ukrainian military.

“For now, the pilot and his family are in Ukraine and are making plans for the future. Two other members of the helicopter crew, who did not know about the real plans of the pilot, decided not to surrender and died immediately after landing,” the intelligence service added.