Al-Shabaab releases video of Ukrainian UN pilot held since January 2024
Aleksandr was serving as the captain of a helicopter assigned to a mission linked to the United Nations Support Office in Somalia when the aircraft encountered technical problems that forced it to land in an area under the control of the militant group.
The Al-Shabaab has released a new video showing Oleynik Aleksandr, a Ukrainian national who has been held by the group since early 2024 after the helicopter he was piloting made an emergency landing in central Somalia while operating under a United Nations contract.
Aleksandr was serving as the captain of a helicopter assigned to a mission linked to the United Nations Support Office in Somalia when the aircraft encountered technical problems that forced it to land in an area under the control of the militant group.
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The helicopter had been travelling to Wisil, near the town of Ceelbuur, in the central regions of the country at the time of the incident, according to available information from officials familiar with the operation.
Reports indicate that the helicopter, which was providing aviation support on behalf of UNSOS, was compelled to make an emergency landing in January 2024 due to mechanical difficulties experienced during the flight. After landing, the pilot and other crew members were taken into custody by Al-Shabaab fighters, and they have remained in detention since then.
UNSOS is mandated to deliver logistical and aviation support to the African Union mission in Somalia, the Federal Government of Somalia, and several United Nations agencies operating across different regions of the country.
In the video released by the militant group, Aleksandr appears seated and speaks directly to the camera as he identifies himself as a Ukrainian citizen and the pilot of the helicopter. He appeals to both the government of Ukraine and the United Nations to take steps toward opening talks aimed at securing his release and the other crew members who were captured with him.
“Please use your influence to start negotiations for our release,” he said.
Aleksandr went on to describe the circumstances that led to their capture, stating that the incident occurred during a routine flight in central Somalia earlier this year. He said the crew was confronted with an emergency while in the air, leaving them with no option other than to land in an area controlled by the militant group.
“In January 2024, while we were in the central regions of Somalia, we were faced with an emergency that forced us to land in territory controlled by Al-Shabaab,” he said.
Addressing the United Nations directly, Aleksandr emphasised that the mission was carried out under official UN authorisation and that the helicopter was operating with UN identification at the time of the landing. He said the crew had been deployed to Somalia to carry out duties connected to UN-supported operations in the country.
“I am speaking to the United Nations, as we have been carrying out our mission under its flag and in its name. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, sent us here. Today, we need protection and urgent assistance,” he said.
He further stated that the United Nations has a responsibility to ensure the safety of personnel and contractors who are seized while performing duties related to peacekeeping and support missions. In a direct appeal to the UN leadership, he urged action to address their continued detention.
“I beg you not to turn a blind eye to our plight,” he said.
As of now, there has been no public response from the United Nations regarding the video or the specific requests made by Aleksandr.
The government of Ukraine has also not issued any official statement confirming whether it is in contact with the United Nations or whether negotiations with the militant group are being considered.
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