Rosoboronexport Accuses the U.S. of Contract Violation in Transferring Mi-17 Choppers to Ukraine

The transfer to Ukraine of Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters earlier bought by the U.S. for use in Afghanistan is a violation of contracts concluded between the Russian Federation and the United States, according to Alexander Mikheev, general director of Russian arms export agency, Rosoboronexport.

“Regarding the supply of Mi-17V-5 helicopters to Ukraine from the so-called “Afghan batch” by the United States: this is clearly a gross violation by the United States of an earier Russian-American contract," Mikheev told reporters on Friday at the Helirussia-2022 exhibition.

"According to the contract, these helicopters are not subject to re-export or transfer to any third country, which is confirmed in an official document of the Pentagon - the End User Certificate which was signed by Hillary Clinton, who at that time headed the State Department)", - said the head of Rosoboronexport.

On Thursday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby announced a package of military assistance to Ukraine, within which it is planned to transfer 11 Mi-17 helicopters.

On April 7, the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) announced that Russia would take action if countries decide to transfer weapons and equipment of Russian or Soviet origin to Ukraine.

"In accordance with the international obligations of importing countries of Russian military products, their re-export or transfer to a third party is possible only with the prior written consent of the Russian Federation," the FSMTC said adding that "failure to comply with this provision will force the Russian side to take appropriate retaliatory measures," the FSMTC said.