First flown on July 7, 1961, the Mil Mi-8 ‘Hip' became one of the most versatile and widely used helicopters in the world, with over 17,000 built and ongoing global service.

The United States, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Latvia between them have sent to Ukraine, or soon are sending, 40 Mil Mi-17s and at least two Mi-24s. The Mi-17 is a variant of the Mi-8.

Using a winch, the Mil Mi-10 could lift 15 tons and travel at 120 mph fully loaded. Immediately after unveiling, the helicopter set the load-to-altitude world record at 33,000 pounds at 7,631 feet.

A Russian Mil Mi-8AMTsh. Wikimedia Commons. Russia just unwillingly donated to Ukraine an up-armored Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter. According to Ukrainian Pravda and other media in Ukraine, ...