Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs — Flight N/A

A Russian Interior Ministry Mil Mi-8 helicopter was shot down by a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) while transporting high-ranking officials through Chechnya. The aircraft exploded and crashed near Shelkovskaya, killing all 14 people on board. The victims included Lieutenant General Mikhail Rudchenko, the Russian Deputy Interior Minister, and Major General Nikolai Goridov, the deputy commander of the Interior Ministry forces. The attack occurred during the guerrilla phase of the Second Chechen War and was attributed to Chechen separatists using a 9K38 Igla missile.

Aircraft

Mil Mi-8

Registration

RF-34255

Phase

Cause

Souls on Board

Fatalities

Origin → Dest

Mozdok → Koshgeldy village

Report

Investigation Summary

On January 27, 2002, the Mil Mi-8 was conducting a transport mission within the conflict zone of the Second Chechen War. The flight carried a delegation of senior Russian military and police officials, including the Deputy Interior Minister. While flying near the village of Shelkovskaya in the Shelkovskoy District, the helicopter was targeted by a heat-seeking surface-to-air missile. Grounded sources indicate the weapon used was a 9K38 Igla, a Soviet-designed MANPADS. The impact caused the helicopter to explode in mid-air, leaving no survivors among the three crew members and 11 passengers. This incident was part of a series of high-profile shoot-downs during the conflict, highlighting the persistent threat posed by separatist MANPADS to Russian rotary-wing operations in the region.

Final Conclusions

The crash was determined to be a result of hostile military action. The destruction of the aircraft by a 9K38 Igla missile resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Russian Interior Ministry officials. The incident underscored the vulnerability of transport helicopters to shoulder-fired missiles during the Second Chechen War.

Video Analysis

No video analysis linked for this case file yet.

Systems & Failure Modes

9K38 Igla

A man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) used by Chechen separatists to target the helicopter's heat signature.

Mil Mi-8 Propulsion

The twin-engine turboshaft configuration provides a significant heat source, making the aircraft vulnerable to infrared-homing missiles without advanced countermeasures.

Interesting Facts

01All 14 people on board, including 3 crew and 11 passengers, were killed.
02The aircraft was a Mil Mi-8 operated by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD).
03High-ranking victims included Lieutenant General Mikhail Rudchenko and Major General Nikolai Goridov.
04The helicopter was shot down using a 9K38 Igla heat-seeking missile.
05The crash occurred in the Shelkovskoy District of Chechnya.