Several Mi-8 helicopters replenished supplies for the defenders of Azovstal/24 channel collage
Several Ukrainian crews of Mi-8 helicopters were resupplying supplies for the defenders of Azovstal. When Russia found out about the help for the Ukrainian defenders, it strengthened its air defense.
Two Mi-8s out of 16 helicopters were destroyed
Such the details were told by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Major General Kirill Budanov. He stated that a special operation to supply aid to the defenders at Azovstal was carried out by intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Crews of Ukrainian helicopters delivered aid to the epicenter of hostilities. Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters made from one to four flights. At the same time, they had to overcome the dense Russian air defense and enemy aircraft concentrated in the vicinity of Mariupol.
According to Budanov, out of 16 helicopters participating in the operation, two were destroyed. Despite this, all deliveries were successful.
Two helicopters were shot down during the 5th and 7th flights. Another helicopter was destroyed when it came to the aid of one of the downed Mi-8s. The head of Ukrainian intelligence did not provide information about the victims.
Thanks to the Mi-8, 72 more military personnel were deployed to Azovstal
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense said that there were 7 sorties in total. At the same time, he did not elaborate on when the departures took place. Mi-8s supplied the military at Azovstal with weapons, ammunition, medicines, food and brought 72 Azov workers to the plant.
Oleksiy Gromov, Deputy Head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the Ukrainian military had repeatedly delivered ammunition to Mariupol and medicines.
But these deliveries, he said, were possible to spread the message of aid. After that, Russia increased air defense, which made such operations more difficult.
Zelensky spoke about the heroism of Ukrainian pilots
- President Volodymyr Zelensky said that many Ukrainian pilots died near Mariupol . According to the president, they did impossible things, because it is almost impossible to fly to Azovstal.
- Despite this, the heroic Ukrainian pilots delivered help to the defenders and defenders at Azovstal. They also took away the bodies of fallen Ukrainian heroes.
- On May 16, the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers began from Azovstal. According to intelligence from the British Ministry of Defense, about 1,700 Ukrainian soldiers left Azovstal.
- Ukrainian soldiers were ordered to stop the defense of Mariupol and save their lives. Our defenders were taken to the occupied territories, after which they were to be exchanged for Russian prisoners.
