This is why a Ukrainian helicopter violated Hungarian airspace – VIDEO

Both Ukrainian and Hungarian authorities detected the unknown aircraft that entered the Hungarian airspace on 31st January. On Wednesday, the mysterious helicopter was found by Ukrainian border guards in Transcarpathia.

On Monday, Hungarian military fighters were alerted to an unidentified aircraft entering Hungarian airspace from Ukraine. The cross-border aircraft did not establish radio contact with Hungarian air traffic control, nor did it have a flight plan. By the time Hungarian Defence Forces fighter planes entered the airspace concerned, the unknown aircraft had left the country, reported Magyar Nemzet.

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Following the unusual incident, both Ukrainian and Hungarian authorities started to investigate the case. On Wednesday, the mysterious plane was identified by Ukrainian border guards in Transcarpathia, reported Kárpáti Igaz Szó.

The helicopter was found in a mountain clearing near the settlement of Nizhny Studeny, which is difficult to reach even on foot.

The aircraft was used for smuggling.

The spokesman for the Border Police in Minsk revealed that more than 500 packs of smuggled cigarettes were found in the cabin. Furthermore, the $150,000 helicopter could have been used for human trafficking as well, based on the fact that the aircraft can carry 6 people, in addition to the two pilots. The single-engine machine has an internal payload of 750 kg, a range of 550 km, and a cruising speed of 185 km/h.

As Hungarian news portal 24.hu reports, the plane is still held in custody by the authorities and is under investigation for breaching international aviation rules.

So far, three suspects have been identified in the investigation: two men from Munkács and one from Huszta.

It is also known that the helicopter was purchased in November last year, in a northern Ukrainian province, and was converted for cargo transport.

Featured image: illustration

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Source: 24.hu, kiszo.net, magyarnemzet.hu