The Story Of Ukraine’s Rare Mi-24 Hind Radiation Detection Helicopters

Even before the full-scale occupation that began in February 2022, Mi-24 Rear The serial attack helicopter was established as the signature weapon of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with extensive combat use during the conflict in Donbas. Since the large-scale invasion, both Russia and Ukraine have relied primarily on the Mi-24.air gunner,’ but also used for: special forces are working and personnel rescue and as a drone killer. Of all the different versions used, perhaps the most unusual is Ukraine’s Mi-24RKhR. This version of the Hind was developed for nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) reconnaissance during the Cold War and first came to prominence following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The full version of the photo at the top of this story is a relatively recent shot showing one of the small number (possibly two) of active Ukrainian Mi-24RKhR Hind-G1 helicopters:

As of February 2022, Ukrainian Army Aviation is estimated to have approximately 34 Mi-24s in operational condition; it is part of an overall fleet of approximately 100 helicopters, the majority of which are Mi-8 Hip series transports. Initial losses after the full-scale invasion were heavy, with the total rotary wing force reduced to approximately 40 aircraft by October 2022.

The Hind fleet, with which Ukrainian Army Aviation launched the conflict, was dominated by the Mi-24P Hind-F version with a 30 mm cannon gun, followed by the Mi-24V Hind-E with its distinctive four-barreled 12.7 mm machine gun in the under-nose turret. There were also much smaller numbers of the Mi-24VP, a sub-variant of the Hind-E with harder-hitting twin 23mm guns in a flexible nose mount.

Ukraine has also modernized some of the Mi-24Ps to the Mi-24PU1 standard. It has upgraded engines, a new self-protection system for defense against infrared-guided missiles, as well as a new target identifier for better shooting accuracy at night. Additionally, the PU1 version features the Garmin GPS navigation system, improved cockpit radio and Polish-made helmets with integrated night vision devices.

But the most unusual was the Mi-24RKhR. Also known as Mi-24R (for RazvedchikRussian for reconnaissance) was designated Hind-G1 by NATO.

Developed during the Cold War, the Hind-G1 was a dedicated NBC reconnaissance version of the Mi-24 and first flew in prototype form in 1978.

Its main feature was the pincer-like sampling gear at the ends of the stub wings. These ‘catching hands’ were used to retrieve basic materials for scientific analysis. This was an extremely important role during the Warsaw Pact’s long relationship with NATO, when soldiers were expected to fight on battlefields contaminated by the effects of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

In this role, the Hind-G1 replaced the Mi-8VD, which had been used in radiological reconnaissance missions since the mid-1970s, and the earlier Mi-2RKhR, equipped for radiological and chemical reconnaissance.

Many reports suggest that the helicopter’s weapon systems were deleted as part of the modifications. That’s not quite the case. While the Hind-G1 lost the ability to field anti-tank guided missiles that were standard at the tips of its stub wings, it retained the four-barreled 12.7 mm machine gun in its nose and could still carry rocket pods and other unguided stores under its stub wings.

As stated by @Chebik2 this appears to be a Mi-24RKhR (originally an NBC reconnaissance version, but no longer used for this). For the first time in several years I see someone in active UkrAA service https://t.co/lFSbUVYnqu

— Alex (@magictouch190) 4 November 2023

To provide better protection in the NBC environment, the Hind-G1 featured improved cabinet seals and a filtering device for air entering the cabin. The crew was further protected from radiation by lead sheets added to the hull. The crew of four was provided with additional oxygen cylinders, breathing apparatus and protective clothing as standard.

Other differences with standard Mi-24s included revised cabin windows, with a long, protruding observation window replacing the two small square windows in the right cargo door.

To perform an NBC analysis, Hind-G1 will touch down and the ‘catching hands’ will reach out to the ground. These each consisted of three small probes placed at the end of an articulated mechanical arm, allowing six soil samples to be taken.

There were two operator workstations in the cargo compartment. One of them had a console used to process the data collected from the analysis and then convert the results into coded messages. The second operator, the duty chief, transmitted the messages to the relevant command centers and ground units.

The process of actually analyzing the samples was complex and required the use of a variety of equipment. This included a sensor that measured exposure to radioactive gamma rays; a system to detect chemicals and radiation; a gas detector; an air monitoring system with automatic alarms that respond to toxic aerosols; and a semi-automatic chemical recognition system to detect various toxins.

Further equipment could be carried in a special compartment under the left outer wing pylon. This included a standard chemical recognition attaché bag collect samples, a dosimeterAnother bag to collect samples of NBC material, a decontamination kit, chemical warning rockets, and smoke bombs.

Areas can also be marked as safe or contaminated using colored flares launched from a container under the tip of the tail boom.

152 examples of the Hind-G1 version were produced between 1983 and 1989.

It is known that these were given to Soviet units in East Germany that immediately faced NATO forces. They were assigned to independent combat and control helicopter squadrons, which in turn were assigned to regiments or armies. Each squadron had one pair as well as a pair of Hind-G1s. Mi-24K Hind-G2sAnother special version of the helicopter dedicated to artillery detection.

Hind-G1 first came to public attention in April 1986 during the operation following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Here the helicopter was used to measure radiation levels, but all samples used near the ruined Number Four Reactor were almost certainly retired due to contamination.

Mi-24RKhR NBC reconnaissance helicopter preparing for another sortie during the Chernobyl cleanup, 1986.

Note the mechanical extensions on the stub wings that allow soil samples to be taken. Most post-Soviet air forces use this variant, but it is often misidentified. pic.twitter.com/P7KqmmPzEX

— David.Det (@DavidDetten) 30 April 2023

However, some Hind-G1s, used in both Russia and Ukraine, as well as Armenia and Belarus, survived into the post-Soviet era. Although they have long ceased to be used for NBC reconnaissance, their provision for guns and rocket weapons, as well as cabins for up to eight troops, means they are still useful.

This also applies to Ukraine, which has lost at least 11 Indians since the full-scale invasion. Since this number based on verifiable factsthe likely number is actually higher.

Meanwhile Kyiv supplied Some of these, along with additional Hinds from the Czech Republic, North Macedonia and Poland, were used as spare parts rather than being pressed into service. The more I read about HereUkrainian Mi-24s were also adapted to fire US-supplied 70mm Hydra rockets.

The Czech Republic-supplied Mi-24V Hind helicopter gunship in service with Ukraine appears to have at least 19 air-to-air drone kill markings on its cockpit.

If real, this confirms that Ukrainian Indians are heavily involved in air warfare, shooting down dozens of Russian UAVs. pic.twitter.com/lELvflQQty

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 13, 2025

Ukrainian airman loads American Hydra 70 unguided rockets into the rocket bay of the Czech-delivered Mil Mi-24V helicopter. pic.twitter.com/KxZm4zLqtw

— Situation-6 (War and Military News) (@Archer83Able) 1 August 2023

At least two examples of the Hind-G1 have been recorded in Ukrainian service since 2022. Considering very small numbers constantly The number available in Ukrainian Army Aviation (reportedly three as of 2014-2015) is already impressive. Most likely one or more of the active examples has returned to service after a long period of storage.

Meanwhile, this beautiful video confirms that Ukraine has reactivated another example of the rare Mi-24RKhR and is now operating at least two different airframes of this version. In 2014, 3 samples were operated on during ATO but were stored afterwards. None were in service in 2022.https://t.co/nY5WTsB7tv pic.twitter.com/ZYj65Q05Ov

— Chebik (@Chebik2) April 4, 2024

Not one but TWO rare Mi-24RKhR helicopters (originally the NBC reconnaissance variant of the Mi-24V) in one video! In the several years leading up to full-scale invasion, no RKhR remained active in UkrAA @Chebik2 https://t.co/crTKuENove

— Alex (@magictouch190) May 29, 2024

The sampling hardware of the Hind-G1 currently in service has been removed, but as Ukraine apparently makes no use of the Hinds’ anti-tank guided missile capability, the end result offers much the same as the basic Mi-24V in terms of capability.

So while Ukraine’s unique Hind-G1 may have lost its distinctive mechanical claws, it’s still a force to be reckoned with in the classic gunship role.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com