The Ukrainian Air Force has resorted to using the Mi-24R helicopter (codenamed Hind-G1 by NATO) for combat missions following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, according to Forbes.
As the author of the article highlights, two years after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the country has increasingly felt the lack of aerial support for its ground forces. During this time, Kiev has lost four Mi-24 helicopters but has received approximately 28 additional ones from its Western partners. Currently, Ukraine possesses around 60 Mi-24 helicopters, however, even this number is insufficient to counter Russia’s military capabilities.
As a result, Ukrainian specialists have had to search through reserves and reconfigure the Mi-24R helicopter.
“Over the past 22 months, they have retrieved and reconfigured one of the rarest and most peculiar variants of the Hind ever to exist: the radiological reconnaissance helicopter Hind-G1,” the article states.
The author refers to recent footage circulating on social media showing the helicopter adorned with the Ukrainian flag on its fuselage.
The Mi-24R model helicopter is designed for radiological, chemical, and biological reconnaissance. During the Chernobyl disaster, it was used to assess the level of contamination in the affected areas.
Earlier, the United States declared Russia’s leadership in the production of surface-to-air missiles.
