Deadly Mi-24 crash as crew misses power lines in viral video
One crew member, the commander, remains hospitalized, while the operator perished. Fighterbomber, a channel with reputed ties to military aviation circles, offers a rare glimpse into this tragedy, raising questions about the risks of relying on decades-old technology.
This incident, far from an isolated mishap, underscores broader challenges in military aviation, from technical limitations to human factors, that continue to haunt operators of legacy platforms worldwide.
Designed as a hybrid between an attack helicopter and a troop transport, the Mi-24 combines heavy armament with the capacity to carry up to eight soldiers. Its robust airframe, powered by two Isotov TV3-117 turboshaft engines, delivers a top speed of about 208 miles per hour and a range of roughly 280 miles.
The helicopter’s arsenal typically includes a 12.7mm Yak-B Gatling gun, rocket pods, and anti-tank guided missiles like the 9M114 Shturm. Its armor, capable of withstanding small-arms fire, made it a fearsome presence in conflicts from Afghanistan in the 1980s to modern battlefields in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Yet, for all its strengths, the Mi-24’s age is a growing liability. Its analog cockpit and limited avionics lack the advanced sensors and navigation systems found in contemporary helicopters like the U.S. AH-64 Apache or the Eurocopter Tiger. Night vision capabilities, terrain-following radar, and obstacle detection systems—standard in modern designs—are often absent or outdated in many Mi-24 variants, leaving crews vulnerable in complex environments.
Low-level flying is a common tactic for helicopters, used to evade radar detection or navigate challenging terrain. However, it demands precision and situational awareness, particularly in areas dense with infrastructure.
The Minsk-Brest highway, a major artery connecting Belarus’s capital to its western border, is flanked by power lines and other obstacles that pose significant risks to aircraft operating at low altitudes.
What followed was an aerodynamic phenomenon known as a “pickup,” or more precisely, an aerodynamic stall induced by disrupted airflow. When a helicopter’s rotor blades encounter turbulence or lose lift—often due to sudden maneuvers or external impacts like striking an object—the aircraft can become uncontrollable.
In this case, the collision with the power lines likely damaged the rotor system or destabilized the helicopter’s aerodynamics. Fighterbomber’s commentary indicates the crew compounded the problem with “continued incorrect actions,” though specifics remain scarce. These actions could include improper control inputs, such as overcorrecting the cyclic or collective, which might have exacerbated the stall.
Within seconds, the Mi-24 crashed near the highway, leaving one crew member dead and another gravely injured. The exact cause of the crew’s errors—whether inadequate training, fatigue, or equipment failure—remains unknown, but the incident highlights the razor-thin margin for error in such scenarios.
Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters often operate in environments where obstacles are difficult to detect, especially during low-visibility conditions or at night. The Mi-24 involved in the Minsk-Brest crash may have lacked wire-strike protection systems, which are designed to cut through cables or deflect them before they damage critical components.
Such systems, while common in modern Western helicopters like the AH-64 Apache, are not universally installed on older Soviet-era aircraft. The Apache, for instance, features a wire-strike kit that can sever cables up to 1.5 inches in diameter, along with advanced infrared sensors for night operations. The Mi-24’s reliance on visual detection, especially in older variants, places a heavy burden on the crew to spot hazards in real-time.
Its proximity to NATO’s eastern borders and Ukraine makes it a strategically significant corridor, often used for military exercises or logistics. The Mi-24’s presence in this region could indicate a training mission, a show of force, or a routine patrol, though no official reports confirm the flight’s purpose.
Low-altitude operations in such areas are inherently risky, as crews must navigate not only natural obstacles but also man-made structures like power lines.
Weather conditions, visibility, and the time of day could have further complicated the mission, but without detailed meteorological data, these factors remain speculative. What is clear is that the crew was operating in a high-stakes environment where split-second decisions determined the outcome.
Fatigue, a well-documented issue in military aviation, can impair reaction times and decision-making. A 2020 study by the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory found that pilot fatigue contributed to over 20% of aviation mishaps, with low-altitude operations being particularly susceptible. The Mi Ascendency’s research also suggests that inadequate training or outdated procedures can exacerbate these risks.
While the Mi-24 crew’s training level is unknown, the complexity of the Hind’s controls and the lack of automated systems demand a high degree of skill. If the crew was undertrained or overburdened, their ability to recover from the initial collision may have been compromised.
Spare parts for Soviet-era equipment are scarce, and many operators lack the resources to upgrade avionics or install modern safety systems. A 2019 report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies highlighted that many former Soviet-aligned nations struggle to sustain their Mi-24 fleets due to high maintenance costs and supply chain disruptions.
In contrast, Western helicopters like the AH-64 Apache benefit from continuous upgrades, including digital cockpits, laser-based obstacle detection, and enhanced survivability features.
The Apache’s latest variant, the AH-64E, boasts a Longbow radar and networked data links, capabilities far beyond the Mi-24’s analog systems. Other modern platforms, such as Russia’s own Ka-52 Alligator or China’s Z-10, incorporate similar advancements, reflecting a global shift toward high-tech rotorcraft.
A post on X by @DzeNews on April 16, 2025, translated Fighterbomber’s commentary, noting that the video was shared nearly two years after the incident. The channel’s decision to release the footage now could reflect an intent to highlight lessons learned or to spark discussion about aviation safety.
Alternatively, it may stem from an unauthorized leak, as Telegram has become a hub for unfiltered military content. A 2023 analysis by the Digital Forensic Research Lab noted that Telegram’s lack of moderation enables rapid dissemination of sensitive material, from combat footage to accident reports.
The incident’s implications extend beyond the immediate tragedy. For any military operating the Mi-24, the crash serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in low-altitude operations. Power lines, often invisible against cluttered backgrounds, demand advanced detection systems or meticulous mission planning.
A 2017 NATO study on helicopter operations emphasized the importance of pre-flight terrain analysis and real-time hazard mapping, practices that may not be universal among Mi-24 operators.
The loss of skilled crew members also carries long-term costs, as training pilots and gunners for complex platforms like the Hind requires years of investment. For nations with limited budgets, replacing lost personnel and equipment can strain already stretched resources, potentially compromising readiness.
Other nations, like India, which operates modernized Mi-24 variants, have invested in upgrades like night vision goggles and missile warning systems. Yet, for many operators, such improvements remain out of reach, leaving crews to rely on skill and luck in hazardous conditions.
The role of social media in exposing such incidents is a double-edged sword. Platforms like Telegram democratize access to information, allowing analysts and the public to scrutinize military operations. Fighterbomber’s posts, such as its confirmation of a Russian Mi-8 downing in 2024, have been cited by outlets like The War Zone for their reliability.
However, the lack of official corroboration for the Minsk-Brest crash leaves gaps in the narrative. Without a formal investigation report, questions about the flight’s purpose, the crew’s qualifications, and the helicopter’s maintenance history linger. The video, while compelling, is a fragment of a larger story that may never be fully told.
The tragedy near Minsk-Brest is not just a cautionary tale for one operator but a universal warning about the costs of clinging to outdated hardware. As militaries worldwide balance budgets against modernization, the question looms: how many more such accidents will it take to spur change? The answer depends on whether nations prioritize the safety of their crews over the inertia of tradition.
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Bulgarian Military