Two teenagers in Russia, aged 13 and 14, were arrested after they set fire to a civilian Mi-8 helicopter at an airport in Noyabrsk, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, following instructions received via Telegram. The teens were promised 5 million rubles ($55,000) for the act.
The fire, which occurred in the early hours of September 11, resulted in severe facial burns for the arsonists. After the incident, they fled but were apprehended an hour later and are now hospitalized under guard. The helicopter was nearly destroyed, with only the tail section remaining intact.
Previously, the teens had set fire to a cellphone tower in exchange for 30,000 rubles ($330). Reports indicate that the father of one of the teenagers is currently serving in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
There has been no comment from the Ukrainian government regarding any involvement in the incident.
In related news, Russia is anticipated to receive hundreds of Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, as reported by Reuters in August. This development coincides with Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region, which Kyiv has described as part of its broader strategy for a fair resolution to the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Russian forces are continuing their gradual advance toward the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
