In a gripping story that feels like something out of a spy thriller, a daring plot by Ukrainian intelligence to steal a top-secret Russian helicopter was foiled, thanks to a quick-thinking Russian pilot and a crafty counter-attack.
It all started last November when a Russian helicopter pilot was contacted on social media by a man calling himself Sergey. Sergey had an unusual proposition: if the pilot agreed to fly his high-tech Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare helicopter to Ukraine, he would be rewarded with $750,000 and Czech passports for himself and his family. The offer was tempting, but the pilot’s training kicked in. Alerted to possible security threats, he immediately reported the strange contact to his superiors, and that’s when things got really interesting.
Instead of shutting down the conversation, Russian security agents decided to play along, staging an elaborate operation to catch the Ukrainian spies in the act. With the pilot’s help, they engaged in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, convincing Sergey that the pilot was ready to go through with the plan.
As the supposed “escape” was planned, Ukrainian intelligence agents instructed the pilot on every detail. Sergey told him he would need to drug his fellow crew members to prevent any resistance mid-flight. The pilot was even given a recipe for a lethal poison that he could make using common pharmacy ingredients. And, just in case, he was advised to carry a loaded gun.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence mapped out an intricate escape route for the pilot and his family, suggesting they flee through Türkiye, Moldova, Poland, and Latvia before reaching Ukraine. This careful, complex path seemed to reflect Ukraine’s growing anxiety, as its intelligence officers worried that European agencies might hesitate to be publicly involved with Ukraine’s spy missions.
At last, the big day arrived. The pilot gave Sergey the green light, pretending he was ready to hijack the helicopter and fly it to the coordinates provided by Ukrainian intelligence. But the plan turned out to be nothing more than bait. When Ukrainian operatives gathered at the secret location, eagerly waiting for the stolen helicopter, they got an unexpected surprise—a Russian missile strike targeting their exact position.
The operation was a success for Russia, not only stopping the hijacking attempt but also sending a clear message to Ukrainian intelligence: such stunts come at a price.
This wasn’t Ukraine’s first attempt to persuade Russian pilots to defect with military equipment. Earlier this year, there was a similar plot to lure a Russian bomber pilot to fly his Tu-22M3, a nuclear-capable bomber, across the border. But just like this latest case, that plan fell apart.
In the end, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed that it had uncovered and dismantled Ukraine’s attempt to steal the Mi-8MTPR-1 helicopter, using the entire operation to pinpoint Ukrainian units and air defenses, which were later hit by Russian strikes. The message from Russia was clear: they’re always watching, and they’re more than ready to turn the tables when it matters.
