Two Schoolchildren Set Fire to Mi-8 Helicopter at Russia’s Noyabrsk Airport

Overnight on September 11, two school students set fire to a Russian Mi-8 helicopter at Noyabrsk airport in the Tyumen region of Russia, according to local Telegram channels.

The arsonists, aged 13 and 14, were promised 5 million rubles ($54,700) for the act. They received the assignment via Telegram.

It is reported that schoolchildren accessed the helicopter landing area at Noyabrsk airport through a hole in the fence, then poured a flammable substance over the helicopter, lit a cigarette, and threw it onto the helicopter, which then exploded and eventually burned completely.

According to Russian Telegram channels, only the tail section of the helicopter remained intact.

After the incident, the arsonists fled but suffered severe burns and sought medical assistance. In their conversations with law enforcement, they admitted to setting fire to a cell tower shortly before, for which they had received 30,000 rubles ($328).