Ukraine is down one helicopter gunship tonight, after an MI-8 was blown up on the runway in Kramatorsk, just outside of Slovyansk. The helicopter was to be sent on “surveillance” operations, but was also authorized to fire on protester forces.
Officials with Ukraine’s military claimed the incident was caused by a sniper hitting the fuel tank, causing a fire that ignited the ammunition on board. They insisted the incident had endangered “children” who were being kept at a building near the site.
Fighters with the Kramatorsk Brigade, a pro-protester militia, told a different story, claiming they’d fired a rocket propelled grenade at the helicopter, and the explosion happened right after that.
For the most part, helicopter gunships flying over protest areas in recent days have just been dropping leaflets demanding surrender, but with the Interior Ministry openly talking about “liquidating” the protesters in the area, the helicopters are an increasingly unwelcome presence above protest sites.
Such news are always a good news, but 5 people were killed by the Ukraine army just two days ago, pentagon always can replace the helicopter, but they never can restore a life taken by murderous.
Nor the life lost in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Libya or Iraq or Syria, USG other business is just that, killing people.
(PDF; p28) Ukraine's army has 30 (oops, 29) MI-8/17's. and 40 MI-14's,… It's Air Force has 80 Mig-29's, … . Not much of a dent. Mighta saved a few lives.
Those numbers are pre-split and lacking operational status. Ukraine really has invested little in upkeep and some of their gear was also surrendered during the crisis (not sure how many helicopters though). There might be not more than a dozen flying helicopters right now, several of them already having taken small arms fire with unknown damages. Defence Minister statement recently claimed only 15 percent of totals were serviceable and that crews lack "proper training and only 10 percent of them are capable of performing combat tasks". He might have been exaggerating though since he wants help.
Why can't blackwater just fly them? The US mercenaries will no issue shooting them? The Ukraine government must rightly feel a counter attack.
a sniper bullet hit the fuel tank of the Mi-8 transport aircraft at Kramatorsk, causing an explosion
Hitting the fuel tank (in particular the fuel tank of a military aircraft) does not cause "explosions" except in movies. Try igniting diesel with a bullet. Good luck.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ShootT…
Since when do peaceful protesters have rocket-propelled grenades? Somebody outside Ukraine is obviously arming these groups.
Obviously the perimeter security was rather lax, I would say. Perhaps the Ukrainian Defense Minister hired locals and forgot to pay them? With a range of 300 – 500 meters you have to wonder if there was any security at all.