U.K.-Donated Sea King Helicopter Crashes in Ukraine

A British-donated Sea King helicopter provided to Ukraine has crashed near the Kulbakino airbase, marking the loss of one of the three aircraft transferred from the U.K. to Kyiv’s forces.

The incident, confirmed through a recent ruling by a Nikolaev court, occurred on February 22, 2025. According to official case materials, the helicopter experienced strong vibrations immediately after takeoff, rising only 5 to 7 meters before it began spinning uncontrollably and lost altitude. It then hit the ground.

The crew sustained minor to moderate injuries. The aircraft, originally built in the 1970s, was seriously damaged in the crash.

The United Kingdom had announced in November 2022 that it would transfer three decommissioned Sea King helicopters to Ukraine, with the actual delivery completed in 2023. These helicopters were intended to reinforce Ukrainian capabilities amid continued hostilities with Russian forces.

The aircraft were reportedly armed with Brimstone 2 missiles, a precision-guided weapon developed by MBDA for the British Royal Air Force, capable of engaging targets over 40 kilometers away. Ukraine has also used these missiles from truck-mounted ground launchers. The Sea King platform may also carry long-range Marte ER anti-ship missiles, whose range exceeds 100 kilometers following upgrades with a turbojet engine.

Despite the helicopters being retired from U.K. service, British officials had noted their potential to be retrofitted with modern weapons to support Ukraine's operational needs.

Germany, in a separate move, announced in January 2024 the delivery of six Sea King Mk41 multipurpose helicopters to Ukraine, along with pilot and crew training.