Back in 2022, the Czech Republic announced it would transfer Mi-24 helicopters to Ukraine as military aid. These helicopters have since been spotted in use by Ukraine’s 11th Separate Army Aviation Brigade Kherson. In a recent report by Army TV, pilots operating these helicopters shared their experiences carrying out some of the most dangerous missions, including flights to Zmiinyi Island (aka Snake Island).
"Many of my comrades think I’m a risk-taker. But we always approach each mission as a crew, carefully assessing risks and selecting the best tactics," said Maksym, a Mi-24V pilot with around 1,000 flight hours, nearly half of which were combat sorties. "I took part in a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, flying the Mi-24. That experience has helped me a lot today."
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Among his combat missions, Maksym recalls one near Marinka in Donetsk Oblast, during intense fighting. "They [the russians] were launching constant meat-grinder assaults. One day we got an emergency call — we had to scramble. There was no time for full prep. The enemy was jamming our navigation hard, so the last 20 kilometers we flew by visual landmarks, old-school style. We struck the target, and our guys on the ground told us the assault collapsed. The russians had just gathered there, and we hit them."
Maksym's first combat sortie was during the liberation of Snake Island. "It felt like a one-way ticket. It’s 30 kilometers over open sea with no place to hide or land if something goes wrong, and at the time, enemy fighters had a major advantage in the air."
"This aircraft is still highly relevant today," added Ihor, a flight engineer, who mentioned missions such as aerial patrols and hunting down Shahed drones. Ukraine has previously received Mi-24Vs from the Czech Republic, Poland, and North Macedonia specifically to counter the growing threat of long-range loitering munitions.
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