Russia foils plot to smuggle helicopter parts to Ukraine
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Russia's FSB stops international smuggling of Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopter parts to Ukraine, seizing components worth over $5 million.
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In this photo taken from video distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, May 19, 2025, a Russian Army soldier controls an area from a board of a military helicopter in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (AP)
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Monday that it has thwarted an international operation aimed at smuggling aviation equipment, including Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopter components, to Ukraine.
According to a statement from the FSB Public Relations Center, six individuals from Russia, Ukraine, and Middle Eastern countries were involved in the attempted smuggling. Their activities were reportedly directed by a foreign national residing outside of Russia.
“The FSB has identified and stopped the unauthorized actions of an international group of individuals who were involved in preparing the smuggling of aviation equipment abroad, including to Ukraine,” the statement read.
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The estimated value of the seized components exceeds 400 million rubles (approximately 5.2 million US dollars), which authorities say would have been sufficient to restore the operational capacity of at least four helicopters.
The group allegedly purchased the helicopter parts, intended for Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-17 aircraft, through front companies that procured the components from legitimate manufacturers and operators. The items were then stored and illegally transported across Russia’s borders.
A criminal case has been opened in the Orenburg Region under Part 3 of Article 30 and Part 1.1 of Article 226.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, relating to attempted smuggling of military equipment and goods usable in weapons production. Investigations and operational measures are ongoing.
