Russian teens set Mi‑8/17 ablaze near Omsk amid propaganda claims
The Russians lost a Mi-8/17 helicopter as a result of activities by teenagers who burned it near Omsk. We present this event's background and the lost machine's performance.
A post appeared on the Telegram account of the Russian Rosguard about the arrest of two teenagers who burned a Mi-8/17 helicopter near Omsk. The teenagers were said to have done this at the behest of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in exchange for financial compensation. However, they did not receive this compensation, were caught, and reportedly deleted all correspondence.
It is worth noting, however, that much of the information provided by Russian media or government representatives is part of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war waged by the Russian Federation.
Mi-8/17 - The workhorse of the Russian helicopter fleet
Helicopters from the Mi-8/17 family are among the most popular transport machines in the world. The first basic version was developed in the 1960s, but the design is still being refined today.
Structurally, it is a twin-engine helicopter that can carry, in addition to a three-person crew, up to 24 or, in newer variants, 37 soldiers, 12 stretchers with the wounded, 4 tonnes (8,800 pounds) of internal cargo, or 5 tonnes (11,000 pounds) of suspended cargo. The helicopter is equipped with a ramp, which facilitates quick deployment or loading/unloading of heavy goods.
It is a valued design on the international market due to its reliability and ease of repair. It is worth noting that there are also armed versions equipped with six pylons for carrying weapons, such as S-8 unguided rocket launchers or internal stations with machine guns. Ukrainians use the latter to hunt Shaheds.
The Russians entered the war with about 800 helicopters of this type, of which at least 43 units had been destroyed. Some units were even shot down using FPV drones. The fleet comprises transport versions of various types, but there are also specialized units, such as the Mi-8MTPR-1, used for electronic warfare.
It is worth noting that newer transport variants, the Mi-8AMTSz, delivered after 2014, are equipped with the L-370 Vitebsk self-defence system, which has sensors operating in ultraviolet or infrared to warn of incoming missiles. These are paired with flare launchers, chaff (measures designed to confuse radar-guided missiles), or laser emitters that blind the missile's guidance head (the rarest versions).
