A Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter crashed in Ukraine’s Kirovohrad Region while taking part in the emergency evacuation of aircraft from an airfield amid the threat of a Russian strike. The helicopter went down during the rapid dispersal of military aircraft.

Senior Lieutenant Yaroslav Demchevskyi, who served as the helicopter’s flight engineer, was killed in the crash. There has been no official information about the fate of the commander and co-pilot. According to preliminary reports, their chances of survival were considered extremely low.

According to the Telegram channel Voevoda Veshchayet, the emergency evacuation began after Russian strike drones were reported approaching the airfield. The Mi-8 was scheduled to depart along with other aircraft but crashed during the maneuver.

The exact cause of the accident has not been established. Possible explanations include a technical malfunction during the hurried evacuation or damage caused by Russian weapons.

The area has previously been targeted by Russian strikes against Ukrainian aviation assets. In January 2026, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported destroying Ukrainian Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters at a field site located about 46 kilometers from Kanatove Air Base, stating that the aircraft had been hit by Geran drones.

The latest Mi-8 crash may be linked to the same campaign targeting Ukrainian aviation infrastructure, which has forced the Ukrainian military to rapidly relocate aircraft, increasing the risk of accidents during emergency operations.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has not commented on the incident. An official obituary for Senior Lieutenant Demchevskyi was published in Ukraine’s Cherkasy Region, where he served.