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Riding Along With Ukraine’s Army Aviators at the Front: Exclusive Photo

Ukraine's Army Aviation Mi-24 Helicopters

Strapped in tight and flying low, Ukraine’s army aviators cut through smoke and rotor wash to deliver the full force of their firepower during their daring combat missions. These rare photos take you inside their world—on the ground and in the sky—and reveal why they keep doing their job.

4 min read
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Photo of Mykyta Shandyba
Mykyta Shandyba
Photographer

We spent a day with the Ukrainian Army Aviation, the military aviation branch of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, featuring the iconic Mi-24 combat helicopter. From pre-flight checks to real-time deployments, we observed Ukraine’s Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters being prepared for missions, undergoing maintenance, and taking off to deliver direct fire support for ground troops on the front lines.

No matter the task, no matter the risk, Ukraine’s Mi helicopter crews—pilots, engineers, and gunners—confront the enemy head-on. This is what makes Ukraine’s Army Aviation one of the most mobile and battle-hardened forces in the war: coordination, discipline, and an unbreakable will.

Ukraine’s flight engineer inspects the Mi-8 helicopter’s engine and rotor blades before the aircraft heads out on its next combat mission.
Ukraine’s flight engineer inspects the Mi-8 helicopter’s engine and rotor blades before the aircraft heads out on its next combat mission.
Inside the cockpit of a Mi-24: the pilot prepares for flight, ready for takeoff.
Inside the cockpit of a Mi-24: the pilot prepares for flight, ready for takeoff.
Top-down view of Ukraine’s Mi-24 helicopter.
Top-down view of Ukraine’s Mi-24 helicopter.

Due to Russian drone terror, pilots not only fly missions on the frontline but protect Ukrainian cities from nightly attacks.

“They attacked our country, and out people are dying,” says “John Doe,” a helicopter pilot and crew commander with 77 missions under his belt. “Not only combatants, but also civilians. Behind our backs are also our families. If we don’t do our job and don’t do it well, then war can come to us at home.”

A Ukrainian pilot inside the cockpit of a Mi-24 helicopter, moments before takeoff.
A Ukrainian pilot inside the cockpit of a Mi-24 helicopter, moments before takeoff.
Refueling the Mi-24 helicopter ahead of takeoff.
Refueling the Mi-24 helicopter ahead of takeoff.
Mi-24 helicopters lift off on a combat mission.
Mi-24 helicopters lift off on a combat mission.

“I spend every day as if it could be my last,” says helicopter pilot, Bohdan, with over 100 missions under his belt. “A great danger is to perform tasks when the enemy aviation is watching. When there are enemy drones, and you don’t know whose are whose, it’s a big risk. You must be alert to complete the mission and return safely. Both for the sake of the crew and your own life.”

“My motivation—I have a daughter now,” says “Exzon,” a Ukrainian flight engineer. “She is six months old. If I don’t do this job, someone else will do it, but not on the same level as me. My family is my motivation.”

A Ukrainian Army aviator stands beside a Mi-24 helicopter, helmet in hand, moments before boarding.
A Ukrainian Army aviator stands beside a Mi-24 helicopter, helmet in hand, moments before boarding.
A Ukrainian pilot Andrii in full gear sits inside the cockpit of a Mi-24 helicopter, ready for deployment under overcast skies.
A Ukrainian pilot Andrii in full gear sits inside the cockpit of a Mi-24 helicopter, ready for deployment under overcast skies.

Army aviation is one of the most mobile and combat-ready parts of Ukraine’s Ground Forces. Its mission is direct fire support for troops on the front line. What sets it apart is close coordination with infantry at the tactical level. Crews fly low to evade Russia’s air defenses, taking serious risks on every mission.

A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter pilot seated in the cockpit of a Mi-24, fully equipped and ready for takeoff.
A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter pilot seated in the cockpit of a Mi-24, fully equipped and ready for takeoff.

While many missions remain classified, among the most high-profile operations involving the army aviation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces:

A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter ascends over the treetops, heading out on a combat mission under overcast skies.
A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter ascends over the treetops, heading out on a combat mission under overcast skies.
While the flight engineer conducts a full systems check, the pilot, callsign “John Doe” focuses and prepares mentally for the combat mission ahead.
While the flight engineer conducts a full systems check, the pilot, callsign “John Doe” focuses and prepares mentally for the combat mission ahead.

Army aviation is a disciplined team of pilots, engineers, gunners, and mechanics. Their work saves lives and holds the line.

Today, on Army Aviation Day, Ukraine honors the courage and skill of the dedicated to brave men and women who risk their lives every day and every night for freedom and independence.

Thank you, and safe returns.

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