Within 2 months in the spring of 2022, 15 helicopters and 45 crew members took part in almost 30 rescue missions at Azovstal in Mariupol. The pilots went there, risking their lives.

From March 21 to May 11, they delivered Starlink satellites, ammunition and medical supplies and evacuated the wounded. Then more than 6 flights were completed successfully, but more than 20 did not.

How they flew to Azovstal

An officer of the Special Forces from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Ryzhiy, said that the invaders were waiting for us. Every helicopter was fired upon, many were damaged.

The Russians were everywhere along the entire route. They just swarmed, – remembered Red.

For example, on March 31, 4 Mi-8 helicopters flew on a mission under the cover of an Mi-24 attack helicopter that engaged Russian forces around Azovstal to create a distraction. Ryzhiy said that one of the helicopters was shot down, but the other returned and brought 22 wounded.

Luck played a big part

Until April 5, the Russians cordoned off Azovstal, but the Ukrainians continued to carry out rescue missions. According to the officer, it was decided that each pilot would fly only once. After one flight, he will have experience, know the route and approaches. However, they understood that luck plays a big role here.

When the pilots approached the sea, Russian ships were visible. The military man recalled a case when none of them opened fire. Two helicopters cut through the waves right in front of them.

Recent flights

By May 11, the military had made more than 20 attempts, during some of them going as far as 40 kilometers behind the front line. However, the enemy fortified the line and brought troops there. Russian fighter jets patrolled there.

Ukrainian pilots flew, saw the launch of missiles, turned around, after five kilometers they tried to enter again, but the Russians fired missiles again. There was no chance to break through, so the flights had to be stopped.

Consequently, already on May 20 there was an order to withdraw from Azovstal.