Russian AH Shoots at Spectators

[ORAC]

Russian helicopter fires at spectators during military exercise - POLITICO (http://www.politico.eu/article/russian-helicopter-fires-at-spectators-during-military-exercise/)

A military helicopter accidentally fired on a group of spectators during a military exercise, Russian news portal 66.ru reported Tuesday.

A undated video shows two helicopters shooting missiles toward bystanders. There are contradictory reports about casualties. The 66.ru report quoted a military source who said three people were injured, but a Russian military spokesperson said there were no injuries.

“The targeting system of one of the helicopters made an erroneous target,” the military’s statement said. “As a result, an unguided rocket hit one of the trucks without any people in it.”

The helicopter drill was part of Zapad, a large-scale joint military exercise with Belarus taking place close to Russia’s border with Estonia. According to the Guardian, the exercises involve 12,700 military personnel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the exercises on Monday. Russian officials said the video was taken before Putin’s visit.

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[Shack37]

Maybe the pilots were misinformed and thought Vlad was there:E

[A_Van]

Vlad was there 2 days later :-)


In reality (at least, as more reliable sources report) the accident took place on 16.09 during a routing training exercise for a pair of Ka-52, no spectators were around. Unguided small (and very old) C-8 was unintentionally triggered and hit a car. 3 military/service men were lightly wounded by debris.


Things happen, nothing really outstanding.

[dead_pan]

Vlad was there 2 days later :-)


In reality (at least, as more reliable sources report) the accident took place on 16.09 during a routing training exercise for a pair of Ka-52, no spectators were around. Unguided small (and very old) C-8 was unintentionally triggered and hit a car. 3 military/service men were lightly wounded by debris.


Things happen, nothing really outstanding.

Classic Russian laissez-faire!!

Of course, had this happened on a NATO range, Putin's fanboys would have lost their sh*t crowing about how amateurish we were

[TEEEJ]

Video from the Ka-52

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[bakseetblatherer]

The guy in the vid is lucky he has such a lazy walking speed!

[Fonsini]

The Russians are now claiming one/several of the following:

1. The incident did not happen on the date reported
2. The incident did not happen at the location reported.
3. No one was injured
4. Two people were injured
5. Three people were injured
6. The rocket launch was caused by the automatic targeting system locking on to the wrong target.
7. The rocket launch was caused when the operator selected the Master Arm to "on" and an electrical surge fired the rockets.

Nothing much changes over there.

[Cows getting bigger]

The targeting system of one of the helicopters made an erroneous target

Meanwhile, 3rd Lt Ivan Bolokov packed his bags in preparation for his imminent posting to the Gulag.

[A_Van]

Classic Russian laissez-faire!!

Of course, had this happened on a NATO range, Putin's fanboys would have lost their sh*t crowing about how amateurish we were


Not at all.


First, I am not a fan of that guy.
Second, such things happen everywhere no matter who is in charge - liberals, cons, etc.
Third, NATO and coalition are in sh*t up to the ears in Iraq and Syria having killed hundreds (if not thousands) civilians with "hi-pres" weapons because of wrong targeting (poor intelligence). This happens nearly every month, but not so much noise here. And nobody is shouting about "bringing these murderers to the Hague" - war is war. So, don't put things upside down.

[Mil-26Man]

So, don't put things upside down.

Too funny A_Van, too funny.

[Wander00]

Pity N Vietnam cannot have a similar but more spectacular "accident"!

[Rosevidney1]

Cows getting bigger: Are you sure that's his correct name? I rather think it's Ivor Bolokov. :-)

[westernhero]

Pity N Vietnam cannot have a similar but more spectacular "accident"!

What's North Vietnam done to deserve this ?

[Toadstool]

What's North Vietnam done to deserve this ?

I'm thinking someone perhaps has Vietnam mixed up with Korea. Definitely ex Nav.

[ricardian]

Pity N Vietnam cannot have a similar but more spectacular "accident"!

Were you a Directional Consultant by any chance?

[tartare]

Well at least after a near direct hit, the white Lada only got a scratch or two and a broken window...

[Just This Once...]

Excuse me, I speak jive.

In reality...
...reality has been switched off.

...during a routing training exercise for a pair of Ka-52, no spectators were around.
...apart from all the spectators around the point of impact.

Unguided small (and very old) C-8...
...which has an uncanny similarity to our large 80mm / 15kg rocket which remains our current podded rocket system.

...C8 was unintentionally triggered
...well after being selected, made live, displaying in the HUD, aimed and fired in a salvo of 2.

...and hit a car.
...oh and a comms truck, which took the main hit.

3 military/service men were lightly wounded by debris.

...as well as the rockets. If only they had remained in their comms truck...

Things happen, nothing really outstanding.
...seriously, we put a salvo of rockets into our own guys for sh1ts and giggles.

[flash8]

It's not Vlad by the way, the correct diminutive is Volodya (if I had a £1 for every time etc etc)

As for the casualties all military, no civilians.

I work with a few ex-Russian Afghan Rotary veterans (here in Moscow)... immense respect for those folk... not all Russians are bad... in fact... very few!

Some of the commentators need to come for a visit and see the real thing :)

Vodka is also MUCH cheaper!!

[cattletruck]

The guy in the vid is lucky he has such a lazy walking speed!

I recall being able to out-walk one of them flying into a headwind over the highlands. Guessing it had something to do with having some fuel left behind for going home.