Russian Mi-8 Helicopter Crashes in Oryol Region, Killing Two Pilots

A Russian Mi-8 helicopter, reportedly operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces, crashed under unclear circumstances in the Oryol region on May 23.

According to local Telegram channels, the helicopter went down near the village of Naryshkino around 2:00 p.m.

Witnesses reported hearing a series of detonations following the crash, suggesting the presence of ammunition on board.

Video footage captured by a local resident showed the aircraft sharply banking to starboard twice before impact. Preliminary reports indicate the crash may have been caused by a technical malfunction or a pilot-related incident.

The Telegram monitoring channel Radar VRV reported that the helicopter had been carrying ammunition and confirmed that both pilots had been killed.

This information can be partially confirmed by photos from the scene that show the aircraft equipped with side pylons for mounting weapons and specialized equipment.

Crashes involving Mi-8 helicopters are not uncommon in the Russian military.

Last year, a similar aircraft suffered critical damage during a hard landing.

In August 2024, a Mi-8 went down near Donetsk while evacuating wounded invaders. That crash was initially blamed on Ukrainian fire, but no conclusive evidence was made public, raising the possibility of an operational accident.