9 Mi-8 helicopters, which the Croatian government decided to send last year, could arrive in Ukraine through Poland.
9 Mi-8 helicopters, previously promised by the Croatian authorities, arrived on the territory of Ukraine. This was reported on May 8 by Viyskovy Kur’er.
Helicopters did not seem to be transported, but flew from Croatia through Poland. The first batch of Mi-8s was sent to our state on May 5. In the near future, five more such aircraft are expected by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They will allegedly arrive by land route.
Mi-8 in Ukraine
Photo: Military courier
Mi-8 in Ukraine
Photo: Military courier
At the end of last year, according to the publication, the Croatian government finally decided to transfer 14 of its Soviet-made Mi-8 helicopters to Ukrainian troops. Croatian Defense Minister Mario Banozic said that the helicopters would soon be sent to Ukraine, but the exact timing of the delivery of equipment was not known.
Popularity of Mi-8 in the world
The Mi-8 helicopter is one of the most massive. More than 12 thousand units of this technique have been produced. The Soviet multipurpose helicopter was developed in the 1960s. It is capable of performing various combat missions, depending on the configuration – from transporting cargo and special personnel to participating in assault operations. Instead of the Mi-8s transferred to Ukraine, Croatia will receive Black Hawk helicopters from the United States. The Mi-8 helicopter holds the world record for the number of modifications.
On April 14, a Sea King helicopter piloted by Prince Andrew was handed over to Ukraine. Helicopters of this type will allow the Ukrainian Air Force to carry out vital search and rescue missions, which are very important despite the fact that they are over 40 years old and took part in the Falklands War in 1982. Not a single aircraft, the British military claimed, could fly due to bad weather, and Sea King successfully coped with the task. Sea King helicopters retired by the Royal Navy a few years ago. Despite their age, the Ukrainian military reacted positively to the supply of this equipment.
