Teenagers face 20 years for torching Russian military helicopter

Two 16-year-old Russians have ruined their future. All because they accepted a job to set a Russian Mi-8 helicopter on fire. Enticed by the promise of money, the boys accepted and completed the task. Now their future will be decided by the court.

Since the onset of Russian aggression against Ukraine, hatred towards the country governed by Vladimir Putin has been steadily rising. This sentiment is shared by people outside the powerful nation and Russian citizens who disagree with the president’s policies. Inside the country, attacks on military offices, police stations, city administration buildings, and offices of the "United Russia" party have become increasingly common. These acts stem from opposition to the war in Ukraine and the accompanying military mobilization, which many believe condemns young men to certain death. Some individuals take actions that result in lengthy prison sentences in facilities notorious for harsh conditions.

On September 21, 2024, two 16-year-olds set a Russian Mi-8 helicopter ablaze at a military base in the Omsk region. The boys threw Molotov cocktails at the aircraft. As a result of their actions, the helicopter was engulfed in flames within moments and burned down. After setting the machine on fire, the boys fled the scene but were swiftly apprehended by police. During interrogation, the detainees stated that they received the job to set the helicopter on fire via the Telegram app.

Roman and Anton informed the police that they were promised a hefty sum for "this job." It is unknown who commissioned the helicopter arson. One thing is sure—at 16, they will see the world through the bars of a Russian prison for many years. The District Court in the Central Okrug of Omsk ordered the temporary detention of the teenagers for two months, from September 21 to November 21. The boys have been charged with terrorism. Anton and Roman face up to 20 years in prison for setting the helicopter on fire.