Search Underway for Missing Russian Helicopter

A Mi-8T helicopter carrying 22 people, including 19 passengers and three crew members, has gone missing near the Vachkazhets volcano in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The aircraft, operated by Vityaz-Aero, lost contact around 07:15 Moscow time after taking off for the village of Nikolaevka. Search operations are underway, with both aerial and ground rescue teams deployed, despite challenging weather conditions including drizzle and fog. The Russian Emergencies Ministry has prepared additional resources for the search. Authorities have launched an investigation into potential violations of air transport safety regulations. This incident follows a similar occurrence earlier in August when another Mi-8 helicopter crashed in the region, underscoring the dangers of flying in Kamchatka's rugged terrain.