Russia may lose helicopters for search and rescue: why this is a threat.

According to ТСН: In Russia, there is a likelihood that search and rescue aviation services will be left without helicopters, complicating the provision of assistance during aviation disasters and other emergencies.

The publication "Izvestia" reports that out of 111 approved standby points for Mi-8 rescue helicopters and An-26 aircraft, nearly a third remain without personnel. This concerns cities such as Voronezh, Kaliningrad, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Chita, Kazan, Simferopol, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and others.

Problems with contracts

According to the publication, Russia previously signed contracts with private airlines, but now carriers are massively refusing to participate in tenders. The reason for this is state tariffs which, according to company representatives, are 75% lower than the cost price. This leads to a failure of bids, and in many regions contracts remain unclosed.

Financial difficulties

Airlines in Russia report significant increases in costs: the prices of technical maintenance services, airport services, and crew living expenses have risen. Proposed rates make work unprofitable, particularly for modern modifications of the Mi-8. In some regions, tenders have been cancelled or postponed several times.

Consequences for rescue services

Without helicopters, rescue services in the Russian Federation lose the ability to quickly fly to the scene, air-drop specialists, and evacuate people. Aircraft that are sometimes attempted to be used as substitutes for helicopters are not an adequate alternative: although they can locate victims, they are not capable of ensuring their immediate evacuation. Experts warn of a possible exacerbation of the shortage of rescue equipment in 2026.

This situation is observed against the backdrop of general difficulties in the military and economic spheres of Russia. Authorities are trying to find solutions to the problems of a shortage of equipment and resources, but forecasts indicate that issues may only worsen in the near future.