War

Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter crew killed during combat mission

1 min read
Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter crew killed during combat mission
A Ukrainian military helicopter flies over trees in the Sumy region, northeastern Ukraine, on April 15, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A Russian missile strike on April 13, 2025 on the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed at least 35 people, authorities said as European and US leaders condemned one of the deadliest attacks in months. Two ballistic missiles hit the centre of the northeastern city, close to the Russian border, Ukrainian authorities said. (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) (Photo by ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP via Getty Images)

The crew of a Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter was killed while carrying out a combat mission, the 11th Separate Army Aviation Brigade “Kherson” reported on Feb. 9.

The brigade said the helicopter crew did not return from their mission, describing the loss as an enormous tragedy for the unit.

“This loss is a great pain,” the brigade wrote in a statement announcing the deaths.

The post expressed its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, describing the crew as deeply devoted to their service and to Ukraine.

“They loved the sky and Ukraine,” the statement said, adding that the fallen service members would “forever remain in the sky.”

Another Mi-24 helicopter crew was killed during a combat mission in December 2025, involving personnel from the 12th Separate Army Aviation Brigade.

Avatar
Sonya Bandouil

North American news editor

Sonya Bandouil is a North American news editor for The Kyiv Independent. She previously worked in the fields of cybersecurity and translating, and she also edited for various journals in NYC. Sonya has a Master’s degree in Global Affairs from New York University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Houston, in Texas.

Read more
News Feed
 (Updated:  )

The EU's new steel allocation, set to enter into force on July 1, was introduced in response to global steel overcapacity, which has been hurting EU producers. The measure aims to restrict tariff-free steel imports to 18.3 million metric tons per year, a 47% reduction.

"I proposed what I believe was a very fair, partnership-based approach: MiGs in exchange for drones," Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said. "The Ukrainians initially accepted it but did not follow through, so there are no MiGs for Ukraine because there are no drones, or drone capabilities, for Poland."

Show More