A video, allegedly showing a Russian-speaking pilot in Libya waiting for an evacuation helicopter after his aircraft had supposedly crashed, appeared online on September 7 causing a wave of speculation in mainstream media and among military enthusiasts.
The clip shows a white-and-orange parachute on the ground, in a desert-like environment, and the Russian-speaking person claims that his aircraft was shot down at around 70km and that he ejected from it at about 40km from the airfield. He claims that he is waiting for an evacuation group of helicopters while the enemy is searching for him. After a break the video resumed to show an approaching Mi-24 helicopter in colors close to those used by helicopters of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
The video does not show any wreckage, nor indications of the near crash site, nor clues about the type of aircraft nor the real date or location of the video. The Russian pro-government military blog ‘Fighter Bomber’, which originally released the video, also revealed no further details about it.
The video came following several reports by the US military claiming that Russia had deployed several MiG-29 and Su-24 warplanes to the LNA-operated al-Jufra Airfield. The US Africa Command then claimed that these warplanes were possibly operated by Russia-linked private military contractors.
At the same time, the color scheme of the filmed helicopter is close to that used by the LNA. In particular, an LNA Mi-8 helicopter, which recently crash landed west of Sirte and was captured by forces of the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) had a similar painting scheme.
As to the video itself and the actions of the alleged pilot on it, the situation looks pretty strange. First of all, if the jet was really shot down in combat conditions and the pilot ejected, the decision to film a video that may fall into the hands of the enemy is quite puzzling. The behavior of the pilot making such a decision raises questions about the real purpose of the move. In real combat conditions, the pilot would likely try to retreat from the crash site as much as possible taking the crash-position indicator with him to allow the rescue force to find him. Another factor is that despite the claims of the ‘pilot’, no smoke can really be seen in the video. Further, the pilot is not wearing a proper flight suit. On top of this, Russian sources say that the survival radio set, likely the P-855, which can be seen in the video, is of a different color than those used by the Russian Aerospace Forces.
These factors indicate that the video, regardless of the location, could be from some sort of combat search and rescue exercise. This would explain the strange behavior of the ‘pilot’ who was sitting near his parachute and waiting for somebody, like in peace time, instead of retreating from the alleged crash site. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that these details are likely to be ignored by mainstream media, which will probably soon be full of reports about how Turkish forces downed a Russian fighter aircraft in Libya. If the abovementioned fun clip was really recorded in Libya, by some Russian-linked private military contractors, their leadership is now apparently interested in improving the operational security of their forces.
I can see it all now. What a propaganda coup for Nato and friends.
Navalny was minding his own business. He had stolen a Russian fighter from the prop room of a war movie. But that terrible Putin slipped some of that new poison called Novi-Cafe into the fuel tank of the jet. Navalny made a feint toward Omsk, then a heroic effort to reach Germany but got a little light headed from the smell coming from the fuel. The plane wasn’t feeling too well either. In the end he came down in Libya.
The only question is: should we try the case before the International Court at the Hague, or take it directly to Nuremberg? It is highly likely that the walls are closing in on Putin.
Ed,
Bravo! Thank you for the entertaining bit of satire. We must laugh at them.
The comedians in foggy bottom DC, have completely lost it; absolutely no doubt about. Interesting analogy; when the roman empire was collapsing the Nero had completely lost all his wit, when Rome will burning lane by lane, Nero was witnessing gladiator murders games besides indulging in extreme sexual debauchery; debauchery now glorified and practiced in the west.
All the so classical signs are apparent on the dark horizon. You must remember, symbolism rules the world not power, although very few understand that. America is on the verge of complete meltdown, my great fear is that before it crashes there will be extreme violence.
I wish I could apply the patience of Russia in my own life, in the face of provocation, libel, slander, aggression, the grace and patience of the RF.
If VVP acted the way I do, the world would be a sad place. This superpower, is something I wish to incorporate into my own life. Humility, yet trust in the strength and resolve of the self. I have never seen such a reserve of positive emotions and pro-activeness. I have yet to see many individuals that can do this, let alone a nation.
I am sure cultural/spiritual harmony has a lot to do with this, but there is something a little deeper, almost individual in characteristic, for VVP to have nerves of steel, to endure the constant pressure, and to not cave in, imagine the power these people have, the power to end the enemy and the world in one fell stroke, and its never lost on them, that life is worth living, and the enemy will fall of his own accord. Its beautiful and volumes can be written from psychological POV, what this is, this magical resilience, its as if the grace of heavens is near to RF, to give them such resolve.
Its not self preservation either, not meekly putting the head down, because Russia still has the honor to face itself, and to know its not surrender, but a trance like zen. Its a resolve with the power to as we see, bring an end to the heavy and negative hegemony of selfish and insecure people.
I recall everything that’s been said and done above all, because its not just words, its been an active attempt to destroy RF, to sabotage. For me I have been provoked by much less, far far less. Of course the fate of the world is not in my hands, but if only I had such a resolve, I feel that I could move waters and mountains, as we see firsthand, from a nation not given any empathy, or understanding, a nation that does not thirst for domination and control, but simply for the right to exist, and to grow of its own hard work and intention. Such a desire could be said of any individual, I don’t seek to rule or to control, I just want to develop based on my own abilities, and yet I fail daily to reign in my concern with the actions of others, and to dutifully continue along my own path without disturbance.
The actions of Russia should be celebrated, and remembered, we’re all okay because of patience and understanding, if it could sink in.
Thank You!
Regards
Kent
Beautifully personified.
Quran
chapter 30 (the Byzantines)
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
1. Alif, Lam, Meem.
2. The Byzantines have been defeated.
(the Byzantines had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Persians around 616ce. They were the haughty power at that time (In the letter that Khusrau Parvez wrote to the Emperor Heraclius after the conquest of Jerusalem, he had clearly mentioned his victory as a proof of the truth of Magianism). This haughty powerful empire was allied with the Jews and the Arab Chiefs. Ring any bells!
3. In a nearby territory.
(clearly the Byzantine Christian empire near to the ME, as the western Roman Empire had collapsed)
But following their defeat, they will be victorious
(God had decided that the Byzantines would recoup and achieve a seemingly impossible victory by divine decree) .At the same time the Prophet Muhammad and his followers under severe risk of anhialation, also against the odds, achieved victory.
4. In a few years (they both did in 624ce).
The matter is up to God, in the past, and in the future. On that day, the believers will rejoice.
(***THIS IS THE CRUCIAL PART)
The Muslims celebrated Byzantines victory whom they looked to as a believing nation and whom God had spoken of as above)
5. In God’s support. He supports whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the Merciful.
6. The promise of God—God never breaks His promise, but most people do not know.
7. They know an outer aspect of the worldly life, but they are heedless of the Hereafter.
** Remember the Quran stated, as before and after. So a future situation will happen whereby the heirs of the Byzantine empire will receive divine victory again. We argue that this today represents the Russia that is transitioning and recuperating it’s orthodox heritage inherited from the second Rum (Rome). The haughty power that wants to destroy it today is none other than the Anglo Zionist empire, whose allies are once again the haughty Jews and haughty Arabs. This is rather simplistic. It implies that those who ally with this faction will have chosen the wrong side.
As the Quran speaks, it is a matter decided. It will eventually manifest. The road is a rocky and compounding one till then but an emerging Russia with its orthodox revivalism has a tryst with destiny.
Your characterisation of Russia above warranted this future promise the Quran offers as hope and good news.
Second Rum (should have said Constantinople, not Rome)
Instead of complaining now, someone should ask why Russia in 2011 sided with the West against Libya, which was a historic ally.
The video of the pilot with a relaxed attitude on the ground near a parachute and a radio beacon indicates a training exercise. In a real emergency, landing in hostile territory, the standard practice is for the pilot to get as far away from the highly visible parachute before activating his radio location beacon. Alternatively, the parachute would be buried or hidden.