Teenagers in Russia torch Mi-8 helicopter after receiving Telegram instructions

Two teenagers in Russia, aged 13 and 14, set fire to a civilian Mi-8 helicopter at an airport in Noyabrsk, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, after receiving instructions via Telegram.

The teens were promised 5 million rubles ($55,000) for the act.

The arsonists sustained severe facial burns during the attack, which occurred in the early hours of September 11. After the fire, they fled but were apprehended an hour later and are now hospitalized under guard.

The boys had previously set fire to a cellphone tower for a payment of 30,000 rubles ($330). The helicopter was almost completely destroyed, leaving only the tail section intact.

The father of one of the teenagers is reportedly fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

There has been no comment from the Ukrainian government regarding any involvement in the incident

In August, Reuters reported that Russia was expecting to receive hundreds of Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles.

This development coincided with Ukraine's unexpected incursion into Russia's western Kursk region, which Kyiv described as part of a broader strategy to achieve a fair resolution to the war.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their gradual advance toward the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.