Latest news with #Mi8
Russia Today
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russia thwarts plan to smuggle military contraband to Ukraine
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has announced that it has thwarted a foreign-backed attempt to smuggle Soviet-era military helicopter parts abroad, including to Ukraine. In a statement on Monday, the FSB reported that the contraband scheme involved six individuals from Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East, and was coordinated by a 'subject' of a foreign state residing abroad, without naming the country. The group allegedly used commercial contractors to procure new components for Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters from manufacturing and operating companies. The parts were later intended to be illegally transported across the border, the FSB said, estimating that they could have been utilized to restore at least four helicopters. The total value of the contraband is estimated at over 400 million rubles ($5 million), the statement read, adding that the agency continues to investigate. A video released by the FSB shows two individuals, one handcuffed and with a concealed face, standing next to two large containers, one of which is filled with items resembling helicopter parts. The Mi-8, the world's most-produced helicopter, was first introduced in the 1960s and is primarily used for auxiliary roles on the battlefield, including troop transport and medical evacuation. The Mi-17, introduced in the late 1970s, is an export variant with upgraded engines and rotor systems, and is generally used for the same purposes. Since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022, Ukraine has been scouring the world for Soviet-era equipment to maintain its existing fleet, often cannibalizing decommissioned units for spare parts. To assist Kiev, Western countries have supplied Ukraine with large quantities of their own outdated Soviet-era equipment, which Ukraine typically has much less difficulty operating and maintaining than foreign-manufactured equipment. Russia has consistently denounced Western arms shipments to Ukraine, warning that they only prolong the conflict without changing its outcome.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
She dreamed of the sky since age 10: story of Ukraine's only female combat pilot
Lieutenant Kateryna is the only female combat pilot in the Ukrainian defence forces, serving at a frontline helicopter base alongside dozens of male colleagues. In 2023, she joined the 18th Army Aviation Brigade. Since then, she has completed over 30 combat missions aboard a Mi-8 helicopter. Source: The New York Times Details: Kateryna says her desire to fly began in childhood when she first visited an airbase where her father served as an officer. After her first flight on a Mi-8 helicopter at the age of 10, she decided she wanted to become a pilot. "It was so loud and so scary, but I felt that I wanted to fly it," she said. At the age of 16, Kateryna enrolled in the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National Air Force University, where she was the only female student. She remembers a lecturer once asking her: "What are you doing here? This is not for girls. You will not make it". A female instructor working with helicopter simulators gave her the motivation to keep going. "She told me not to listen to anyone, and I thought, if she can fly, why can't I?" Kateryna said. In 2023, she joined the 18th Army Aviation Brigade and began flying combat missions in September 2024. Since then, she has completed more than 30 sorties as co-pilot and navigator aboard a Soviet-designed heavy Mi-8 helicopter. "In flight, I love everything," she said. Journalists observed Kateryna as she prepared for a mission. She braids her hair tightly into two plaits so it doesn't get in the way, puts on the male military uniform – since there is no other option – and grabs her tablet used for navigation before stepping outside. There, she is met by her all-male crew. Together, they discuss the flight route she has prepared – this time, the mission involves three helicopters. The crews then walk to their helicopters, hidden in the forest to avoid Russian attacks. Kateryna dons her helmet, gets comfortable in her seat and takes off with her commander. Two helicopters tasked with striking Russian targets fly ahead. Behind them follows a third helicopter, which serves as a kind of relay radio station. It is this last aircraft that Kateryna pilots. Although it stays behind the others, it is often exposed to greater danger due to flying at a higher altitude. "I never stress during the flight," she said. "All the heavy thoughts can come before or after. During the flight, my mind is clear." "I fly and look over my country, thinking how beautiful it is, and then, when we enter the frontline area and I see how everything is destroyed – burned and bombed – the villages, towns, homes and factories, I think: how did we get here in the 21st century?" she reflected. After completing the mission, the three helicopters returned to their forest clearing. "Once I hear on the radio that we hit the target – like today – I know the job is done," Kateryna said after she returned. "I feel like, 'phew, great, we completed our task'." She rarely sees her family but dreams of taking her younger sister for a flight once the war ends. After missions, Kateryna finds time to relax by watching movies with fellow soldiers. She has learned to ignore sexist comments and she finds encouragement in the respect shown by other pilots and the trust commanders place in her abilities. "Possibly, I ruined the stereotype," Kateryna said. However, she admitted that overcoming prejudice from male commanders and soldiers remains a challenge. Female service members, she noted, are often marginalised in the military and are given fewer assignments than their male counterparts. "It's like that in any profession when you're a woman – not just in the army," Kateryna added. Background: Earlier, we reported on how former teacher Nataliia Hrabarchuk shot down a Russian cruise missile with a portable air defence system during a large-scale attack. The Ministry of Defence later honoured her and her fellow defenders with awards. Read more: Natasha, you got it! The former kindergarten teacher who downed a Russian missile Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tom Cruise Fans can't keep calm as Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning gets early India release
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. The movie is helmed by Christopher McQuarrie. The eighth instalment of the Mission: Impossible franchise will release in India on May 17 Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning India release date Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads @TomCruise plan a visit to India Ahead of Movie Release undefined Ganesh Makkena (@Ganesh_Makkena) April 25, 2025 thanks @TomCruise anna. India will witness it first in the world. undefined Mahrajfied (@sreekirx) April 25, 2025 Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Oh Damn 🙄 either Final Destination or Mi 8 👀 undefined Ciné-File (@mrdb209) April 25, 2025 About Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
Deccan Herald
25-04-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Air Force museum inaugurated in Nagpur
The Museum displays a Mi 8 helicopter, MiG-21 fighter aircraft and Pichora missile at the entrance. The various sections of the museum include History of IAF, Audio Visual section, equipment display section, weapon section.
