**Russian Mi-8 Helicopter Goes Missing in Far East with 5 On Board**
A Russian helicopter carrying five people has gone missing during a flight from Okhotsk to Magadan in Russia’s Far East. According to reports, the three-crew-member and two-technician aircraft lost contact at the scheduled time on July 14.
The search operation is currently underway, with another Mi-8 helicopter deployed from Okhotsk and an An-26 aircraft dispatched from Magadan to aid in the search. The Russian aviation agency Rosaviatsiya has confirmed the incident, citing Kommersant as their source.
**A Familiar Aircraft with a Troubled History**
The missing helicopter is a Soviet-designed utility Mi-8, which has been widely used by Russia’s military and civilian authorities for transport, combat support, and command missions. While the aircraft has a long service history, it has also been involved in several crashes, including during Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
On May 23, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter crashed near the village of Naryshkino in Oryol Oblast, killing the crew, according to TASS reports. This incident raises questions about the safety and maintenance of Russia’s aviation sector, which has been severely impacted by Western sanctions.
**Sanctions Take Their Toll**
Western sanctions have left many Russian aircraft without essential parts for routine maintenance. This has resulted in a number of accidents and crashes, including those involving Mi-8 helicopters. The missing helicopter, with five people on board, serves as a stark reminder of the risks and consequences of these sanctions.
As the search operation continues, hopes are high that the crew will be found safe and sound. However, given the troubled history of the Mi-8 and the impact of Western sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector, this remains a worrying and uncertain situation.
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