The GUR just confirmed the operation. A Russian Mi-8 carrying spare parts for fighter jets was lured into Ukraine in an operation that lasted over 6 months. Two crew members (unaware where they were heading) were reportedly eliminated while the Russian pilot was kept unharmed. He is reunited with his family that was taken to Ukraine earlier.
“Official information will be forthcoming. In advance, there is such information. We need to wait a little, the work will be done, including the crew. Everything will be fine, there will be news,” said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the GUR.
If you’re going to surrender bring gifts. It’s the polite thing to do.
Especially since Ukraine will pay out a bonus. This helicopter should net the crew about $500,000.
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It sounds like the crew, except for the pilot was killed? Pretty brutal for the crew. I assume there was no other option
There’s always the possibility they were in on it and were just reported killed to avoid possible retaliation against their families.
Get this guy a clearance and a desk!
Ironically, these days the Ruskies couldn’t give less of a fuck about their comrades.
Maybe there was, and maybe there wasn’t. Defecting to the country you’re at war with is an incredibly risky endeavor, especially if you’re taking ~$10m worth of military hardware with you. Could be that the crew member(s) who survived just erred on the side of caution and killed anybody they weren’t 100% sure about.
Fuck em. These weren’t grunt conscripts force into war, they chose their path of destruction.
He is reunited with his family that was taken to Ukraine earlier.
Threatening people’s loved ones sometimes backfires, doesn’t it Putler?
I’m curious about the background here. Were they fleeing Russia as dissidents? Were they captured conscripts? Definitely sounds like an interesting story.
Smart move.
Based AF tbh. Good on them.
What’s the reward for defecting with a helicopter? I remember planes and tanks having pretty substantial amounts listed.
Someone else said $500,000 USD
Damn, I’d get my ass to Ukraine ASAP if I were a Russian pilot.
Right, especially if they can get your family safely there before hand.
It will make for a good movie later.
I feel really bad for the guys that defect like this. There have been a few stories of defectors being traded back to Russian forces in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners. The defectors were killed and made an example of. Sucks, because if you don’t want to fight the war you have few options, and none of them good.
Untrue, any Russian in Ukranian captivity can refuse to be in prisoner swaps.
