The Russian helicopter squadron was attacked by at least 15 Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles while supporting their comrades in landing and controlling enemy airports.
Ministry of Defense Russia today announced the story of Mi-24 helicopter pilots participating in amphibious operations to control the strategic Hostomel airport on the outskirts of the capital Kiev. Ukraineas well as a video of a squadron of armed helicopters tasked with supporting transport troops in this battle.
“It’s one of those bullet holes, it’s not that scary. There have been cases of helicopters blowing up their entire cabins while fighting in Afghanistan. The missile made a lot of holes in my plane,” said Oleg Yesman, a Mi-24 pilot with more than 400 sorties on missions in Chechnya, Syria, Africa and Ukraine.
The Russian military said that while crossing the Dnieper River, the armed helicopter fleet encountered at least 15 shoulder-fired Stinger anti-aircraft missiles launched by the Ukrainian army.
Russian pilots recount fighting at Ukrainian airports in a video released today. Videos: Zvezda.
“After the first 10 rounds, we don’t have to worry about counting anymore. The crew immediately adopted a tactic built on Afghan times called the ‘wheel of fire’, which divided the troops into two squads and troop groups. two square kilometers,” said Yesman.
Russian helicopters constantly launch traps to divert missiles and maneuvers to dodge bullets, while suppressing enemy positions with artillery and rockets. Yesman helicopters destroyed self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, armored personnel carriers and Ukrainian mortar batteries.
“I saw the enemy launch a Stinger missile at me from 900 meters away, had less than a second to react. I controlled the helicopter to turn left and make sure the bullets followed the heat of the engine. When around Only 100 meters away. , I turned sharply to the right to dodge,” recalls Yesman.
The Stinger missile exploded under the helicopter’s tail, destroying the plane’s control systems. The crew assessed the damage and decided to continue the mission, despite heavy anti-aircraft fire below.
The crew of Major Artem Sokolov, commander of the squadron, detected a missile launch site on the Mi-24 Yesman and destroyed this position.
“Within 7 minutes, the armed helicopter squadron completely suppressed the Ukrainian firing positions, ensuring the safe landing of troops. Major Sokolov’s crew also found a mortar battery hiding in the forest area and launched rockets, destroying these positions before the enemy could fire,” the Defense Ministry said. Russia.
While supporting the landing, the Mi-24 also safely evacuated the crew of the Ka-52 kan helicopter emergency landing previously hit by a missile.
Russian military television said that the country’s troops suffered no casualties in the landing operation at Hostomel airport, all enemy firing points were destroyed.
“There was a similar operation in Afghanistan, in the Panjshir valley, but the force was much bigger then. We controlled the strategic airport near Kiev with only 20 helicopters, showing professionalism and quality of training. High soldier,” said pilot Yesman.
A Russian Ka-52 helicopter supports teammates and makes an emergency landing in a video posted on March 18. Videos: Ria Novosti.
CNN reports that Russian troops attacked and took over Antonov airport on the morning of February 24. The airport is located in the Hostotel, a northwestern suburb of Kiev, which played an important role in the defense of the Ukrainian capital. Military experts believe that the landing troops of Antonov airport belonged to the 31st Guards Air Assault Brigade of Russia.
Russia on February 24 announced the opening of a special military operation to “disarm and eliminate Ukrainian fascists”. After more than three weeks of hostilities, Russia has taken control of the Kherson region in the south and is advancing on the strategic port city of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine, while major cities such as Kiev and Kharkov are under siege.
Vu Anh (Based on between fax)
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