Video has surfaced claiming to be of a Ukrainian and United Nations (UN) pilot who was captured by terrorist group Al-Shabaab when his helicopter made an emergency landing in Somalia.
Footage of the helicopter pilot appealing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the UN for help was first reported by local media in Somalia on December 14, 2025.
According to Garowe Online, a hostage appeal by the helicopter pilot, Oleynik Aleksandr, was published by Al-Shabaab’s media wing.
In the unverified video, Captain Aleksandr describes himself as a “Prisoner of War” who is being held “thousands of miles away from my beloved homeland of Ukraine”.
Captain Aleksandr explains that he was working to support the Somali government as part of a United Nations mission to perform medical evacuation flights.
In January 2024, Captain Aleksandr says he performed an emergency landing in the “middle regions of Somalia” over Al-Shabaab territory.
“My crew and I were captured and now face an uncertain fate at the hands of our captors,” said Captain Aleksandr.
He appealed to President Zelenskyy to not to “forget about us” and to “use your influence to negotiate our release”.
“Let the world know that we exist and need help. To my fellow Ukrainians I urge you to raise your voices for us. We are still captive in a foreign country and fighting for our survival,” he pleaded.
A visibly unwell and weak Captain Aleksandr also appealed to the United Nations, “whose emblem and flag flew proudly on our mission”.
Al-Shabaab releases video showing the Ukrainian captain of a UN helicopter that made an emergency landing in territory controlled by the group in Jan. 2024.
The pilot, who has been held captive along with his crew since then, appeals to Ukraine & the UN to negotiate his release. pic.twitter.com/lHiNx4HJUW
— Somali Guardian (@SomaliGuardian) December 14, 2025
Addressing the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, Captain Aleksandr said that “we find ourselves in dire need of protection and assistance”.
“The UN has a duty to secure the release of its contractors taken captive during peacemaking operations. I beg of you Secretary-General Guterres don’t turn a blind eye to our plight. Please help us return safely,” said Captain Aleksandr.
Events on January 10, 2024
In January 2024, AeroTime reported that a UN helicopter had been captured by terror group Al-Shabaab after it was forced to make an emergency landing in the central Galguduud area in Somalia on January 10, 2023.
According to Aviation Safety Network, the helicopter was a Ukrainian Mil Mi-8MTV-1, registered UR-UHC, that had departed Mogadishu.
It was reported that the helicopter suffered a technical glitch and landed in the Galgaduud region, an area controlled by the Sunni Islamist militant group.
A UN memo said there were nine passengers on the plane including military personnel and a third-party contractor. At least six of the passengers were reportedly seized by Al-Shabab.
The UN is concerned about the safety of persons aboard one of its helicopters that was captured in #Somalia on Wednesday. This story and more in our World News in Brief bulletin.https://t.co/8xmDyvcAqp
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) January 10, 2024
“Two Somali men and several foreigners were onboard. It was also carrying medical supplies and it was supposed to transport injured soldiers from the Galgaduud region,” Major Hassan Ali told Reuters.
In January 2024, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, said: “Response efforts are underway, but I think you will all understand for the sake of the safety of all those involved we are not going to say anymore at this point our primary concern is for their safety so we will leave it at that for now.”
AeroTime has contacted the United Nations and Ukrainian government to comment on the authenticity of the hostage video and for their response to Captain Aleksandr’s appeal.
