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The Russian Federation announced an attempt to hijack a Mi-8 military helicopter and transfer it to the territory of Ukraine.
According to the FSB, the abduction was prevented. The Ukrainian intelligence operation lasted about a year. The helicopter was of particular value, as it was converted for electronic warfare.
A message was sent to the Russian pilot in Telegram with an offer to steal a helicopter. For this, he was promised 750 thousand dollars and a residence permit in the Czech Republic.
The FSB said it initially controlled the recruitment process and the pilot operated under its supervision.
He agreed to a flight to Ukraine in order to reveal the positions of the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces and the location of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the FSB, "an effective fire attack was later inflicted on them."
Ukraine did not confirm this operation.
The FSB and SBU also stated that in the summer, a number of Ukrainian officers led by Roman Chervinsky unsuccessfully tried to recruit a Russian pilot to hijack the plane. As a result, the location of the Ukrainian air defense system was revealed and the Russians attacked the Kanatovo military airfield in the Kirovohrad region. For this, the SBU accused Roman Chervinskyi of self-dealing and suspected him of exceeding his authority.
