- Title: Quality not quantity of helicopters is key, says Ukrainian pilot
- Date: 26th March 2023
- Summary: DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE (MARCH 25, 2023) (REUTERS) UKRAINIAN ARMY ATTACK HELICOPTER MANOEUVRING OVER AIRFIELD
- Embargoed: 9th April 2023 13:48
- Keywords: Donetsk region Eastern frontline Russian invasion War in Ukraine
- Location: DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE / GIVEN AS DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE
- City: DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE / GIVEN AS DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA001025325032023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: THE HELICOPTER PILOT'S FACE WAS OBSCURED AT THE REQUEST OF THE UKRAINE ARMED FORCES
After taking off from an airfield near the Donbas frontline in a Soviet-era helicopter, Ukrainian helicopter pilot Roman said on Saturday (March 25) he'd prefer to fly Western models.
Talking to Reuters in an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region, the 34-year-old said Ukraine needed newer attack helicopters and weapons systems to gain advantage over Russia on the battlefield.
"We do our best using the old ammunition but we need new ones. Russians use the same copters and they have more of them than we have, so we cannot rely on quantity. We should rely on quality," said Roman, who refused to give his surname for security reasons.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces shared footage it said showed a helicopter during a combat mission, firing rockets onto Russian positions.
Reuters was not able to independently confirm the location where the footage was taken or the date when it was filmed.
(Production: Vladyslav Smilianets, Felix Hoske) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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