Ukrainian helicopter pilots navigate high-stakes warfront challenges

The Unian agency's website shows that combat helicopter pilots in Ukraine face much more difficult challenges than their colleagues in the United States. The expert from the US describes the work of the Ukrainian armed forces, highlighting elements that have a crucial impact on pilot safety.

Hunter points out that Ukrainian pilots perform low-altitude flights at high speed over the battlefield, which is fraught with great risks. In such situations, quick reaction time and excellent situational awareness are necessities. Low-altitude flights carry a constant threat of collision with ground infrastructure.

Under these circumstances, pilots must quickly identify and react to threats. Making rapid decisions regarding maneuvers is crucial, as any mistake can lead to disaster. As Hunter emphasizes, Ukrainian pilots face a more complicated set of challenges than their American counterparts.

While dangerous, low-level flights are justified by the front-line situation. According to Hunter, this risky strategy improves pilot safety. Helicopters flying low and fast are difficult for enemy radars to detect, as they usually don't cover several metres above ground level.

Hunter also notes that in Ukraine, threats can come from any direction - both from buildings and open spaces. At low altitudes, pilots have a somewhat easier task of identifying these threats.

It was also recalled, as reported by "The Wall Street Journal" last year, that Poland delivered Mi-24 helicopters to Ukraine, which are heavy and armed units produced in the 1970s. They are equipped with two engines with 2,951 horsepower, 12.7 mm calibre machine guns, and the capability to carry rockets and bombs weighing up to 250 kilograms.