this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2023
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A Russian Mi-8 helicopter crew landed and surrendered in the Kharkiv region. (lemm.ee)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Wilshire@lemm.ee to c/ukraine@sopuli.xyz
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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.

https://t.me/noel_reports

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[–] Rapidcreek@reddthat.com 68 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If you're going to surrender bring gifts. It's the polite thing to do.

[–] bucho@lemmy.one 40 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Especially since Ukraine will pay out a bonus. This helicopter should net the crew about $500,000.

[–] traveler@lemdro.id 8 points 1 year ago

Heli plus the spare parts.

[–] karlthemailman@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago (4 children)

It sounds like the crew, except for the pilot was killed? Pretty brutal for the crew. I assume there was no other option

[–] Generic_Handel@kbin.social 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There's always the possibility they were in on it and were just reported killed to avoid possible retaliation against their families.

[–] bradorsomething@ttrpg.network 8 points 1 year ago

Get this guy a clearance and a desk!

[–] bucho@lemmy.one 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Could also be that they defected and reported that they were killed, to protect their families from retaliation.

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Ironically, these days the Ruskies couldn’t give less of a fuck about their comrades.

[–] FleetingTit@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago

If a nation starts shooting at their own civilian aircraft you know something has gone seriously wrong.

[–] awwwyissss@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Fuck em. These weren't grunt conscripts force into war, they chose their path of destruction.

[–] Jaysyn@kbin.social 38 points 1 year ago (1 children)

He is reunited with his family that was taken to Ukraine earlier.

Threatening people's loved ones sometimes backfires, doesn't it Putler?

[–] DarkThoughts@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago

I'm curious about the background here. Were they fleeing Russia as dissidents? Were they captured conscripts? Definitely sounds like an interesting story.

[–] Kyrgizion@lemmy.world 34 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Smart move.

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 20 points 1 year ago

Based AF tbh. Good on them.

[–] Hubi@feddit.de 30 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What's the reward for defecting with a helicopter? I remember planes and tanks having pretty substantial amounts listed.

[–] awwwyissss@lemm.ee 22 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Someone else said $500,000 USD

[–] Hubi@feddit.de 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Damn, I'd get my ass to Ukraine ASAP if I were a Russian pilot.

[–] curiousaur@reddthat.com 12 points 1 year ago

Right, especially if they can get your family safely there before hand.

[–] Puschkul@feddit.de 16 points 1 year ago

It will make for a good movie later.