Belarusian Forces Add First Batch of Russian Mi-35 Attack Helicopters

Belarusian defense ministry announced it took delivery of the first batch of Russia-made Mi-35 attack helicopters.

"Belarusian pilots are flying the first batch of Mi-35 helicopters that have been put into service in the Belarusian army. The helicopters were received in accordance with the plan of construction and development of the armed forces and military-technical development with the Russian Federation," the ministry said in a statement.

The Mi-35 multipurpose attack helicopter is a modernized version of the Mi-24 and is designed to destroy armored vehicles, enemy personnel, provide fire support for motorized rifle and tank units, land paratroopers and evacuate the wounded. The Mi-35 is also capable of carrying cargo in the cockpit and on external suspension. The crew consists of two servicemen.

Belarus has played a key role in Russia’s war in Ukraine, with the latter using Belarus as one of its launch pads for the invasion in early 2022, while joint Russia-Belarus military drills over the past year have fueled concerns Belarusian troops could join Russian forces in the conflict.

Yesterday, the country’s President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with Ukrainian journalist Diana Panchenko that “No one will topple Putin at this point.”