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Somali militant group Al-Shabaab has released a new video showing Oleynik Aleksandr, a Ukrainian helicopter pilot who has been held by the group for nearly a year. Aleksandr was captured in early 2024 after the helicopter he was flying made an emergency landing in an area controlled by the militants in central Somalia.
Aleksandr was serving as the captain of a helicopter contracted by the United Nations to support its operations in Somalia. The aircraft was on a routine mission to Wisil, near Ceelbuur, when it developed technical problems and was forced to land in January 2024. Shortly after the landing, Al-Shabaab fighters took control of the area and detained the pilot along with other crew members on board.
The helicopter was operating under the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), which provides aviation and logistical support to the African Union mission, the Federal Government of Somalia, and various UN agencies working across the country. Since the incident, the crew has remained in Al-Shabaab custody, with little public information available about their condition.
In the newly released video, Aleksandr appears calm but visibly distressed as he makes a direct appeal to both the Ukrainian government and the United Nations. He urges them to begin negotiations with Al-Shabaab to secure the release of himself and the remaining crew members.
“Please use your influence to start negotiations for our release,” he said in the video.
He described the circumstances that led to his capture, explaining that the helicopter encountered an emergency while flying through central Somalia. According to Aleksandr, the crew had no choice but to land in territory controlled by the militant group.
“We were faced with an emergency situation that forced us to land in an area under Al-Shabaab control,” he said, emphasizing that the landing was not planned and that the crew was carrying out an official mission.
Aleksandr also directed a strong appeal to the United Nations, stressing that he and his colleagues were operating under the UN flag at the time of their capture. He said they were sent to Somalia as part of an official assignment and should therefore receive protection and assistance from the organization.
“I am speaking to the United Nations, as we were carrying out our mission in its name,” he said. “The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, sent us here. Today, we need protection and urgent help.”
In an emotional message, Aleksandr urged the UN not to ignore their situation, stating that the organization has a responsibility to contractors and personnel who are kidnapped while supporting peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
“I beg you not to turn a blind eye to our plight,” he said.
So far, neither the United Nations nor the Ukrainian government has issued a public response to the video or commented on whether negotiations are being considered. There has also been no official update on the condition of the other crew members being held.
Al-Shabaab has a history of capturing aircraft and personnel following forced landings or crashes in areas under its control. Such incidents are often used by the group as propaganda tools and as leverage to pressure governments and international organizations.
The release of the video has renewed attention on the fate of the detained crew and raised questions about the responsibility of international bodies to protect contractors working in high-risk environments. As the situation remains unresolved, families and colleagues continue to wait for action that could lead to their safe return.