Russia's FSB foils Ukrainian plot to hijack Russian Mi-8 electronic warfare helicopter

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has reported the prevention of an attempt to hijack a Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare helicopter belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Officers from the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence attempted to recruit a Russian military pilot to hijack the helicopter to territory controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“During an operational sting operation, Russian counterintelligence uncovered the positions of air defence systems and the locations of Ukrainian Armed Forces units, which were subsequently effectively targeted,” the FSB reported.

In a video provided by the FSB, a Russian helicopter pilot explains that he was contacted via Telegram by a Ukrainian intelligence representative named Sergey. According to the pilot, Sergey tried to recruit him, instructing him to poison his crew on the designated day and then fly the helicopter to Ukrainian-controlled territory. The Ukrainian intelligence also offered to relocate his family to Chișinău.

Let's recall that in July this year, the FSB foiled an attempt to hijack a Russian strategic bomber. Ukrainian security services tried to hijack a Tu-22M3. They promised a Russian military pilot about $3m and Italian citizenship for flying and landing the aircraft in Ukraine. 

Special services of NATO countries were also involved in the preparation and conduct of the operation. In the course of operational activities, Russian counterintelligence was able to obtain information that helped strike the AFU's Ozerne Air Base.

For information, the Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare helicopters are outfitted with the advanced Rychag-AV system, specifically designed for electronic warfare operations. This sophisticated system disrupts the functionality of enemy air defence control systems, neutralizes the effectiveness of anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems, and impairs fighter aircraft capabilities. Additionally, the Rychag-AV system enables comprehensive radio-technical reconnaissance, providing a significant tactical advantage in the electronic warfare domain.

By Khagan Isayev