Russian Mi-8 helicopter carrying election commission forced to land on highway in Sakhalin
Photo: Mi-8 military helicopter (Getty Images)
Russian Mi-8 military helicopter carrying an election commission official and journalists lost altitude over Sakhalin and was forced to make an emergency landing right on a highway, according to the Russian Telegram channel ASTRA.
The Mi-8 made a "hard landing" on a highway in the Dolinsky District of Sakhalin Region. On board were a representative of the Sakhalin Regional Election Commission, four journalists from local TV channels, and three crew members.
According to the regional election commission’s press service, the helicopter was returning from Cape Terpeniye in Poronaysky District, where early voting was being held in the elections to the Russian State Duma.
During the return flight, the Mi-8 began losing altitude. The crew managed to land the aircraft on the roadway. The helicopter then rolled off the road into a ditch.
According to preliminary information, no one on board suffered serious injuries.
"The passengers and crew members escaped with bruises and scratches, and there were no casualties or damage on the roadway either," the Russian election commission said.
The statement did not specify what caused the helicopter to lose altitude.
It is noted that Russia uses aircraft provided by the Russian Defense Ministry to facilitate voting in remote areas.
Problems with Russia’s civilian aviation industry have been reported before. In July, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said that due to a shortage of Western components, Russia is increasingly dismantling some aircraft for spare parts to keep others in service.
Russia is trying to mask the aviation crisis by merging several companies into a single holding. According to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, this may help conceal financial problems but will not solve the shortage of aircraft, spare parts and personnel.
