Russia has found a way to prevent Ukraine from receiving military helicopters. Kommersant writes about this.
Moscow will terminate the permit for major repairs, maintenance and supply of spare parts for Mi-type helicopters for three enterprises in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. According to the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, this is due to the intentions of the EU and NATO to supply military equipment to Ukraine and repair it in Eastern Europe.
Rosoboronexport told the publication that after the revocation of certification, hard times will come for the Czech company Lom Prague and the Bulgarian Terem — Letets and Avionams. "They will either close, or they will try to establish "gray" channels for the supply of spare parts from third countries," the institution suggested.
Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters (a modification of the Mi-8) are supplied to Ukraine by the United States. In June, the Russian Foreign Ministry demanded that Washington explain the transfer to Kiev of helicopters that, under the terms of the contract and the end-user certificate, were to be operated in Afghanistan.
On May 25, it also became known that the Czech Republic handed over to Ukraine a squadron of Mi-24 attack helicopters, and also, together with Slovakia, allowed the Ukrainian military to transport military equipment for repair across its border. Then Prague noted that it could send more helicopters to Kiev, provided that allies, in particular, the United States, would help replace the already transferred military equipment.
