Kandahar prisoners (22 photos)

In August 1995, the Russian IL-76 and seven crew members, headed by the commander Vladimir Sharpatova were captured by militants of the Islamic movement "Taliban" in the Afghan city of Kandahar.
The plane belonged to a private airline Kazan, but was leased to the Government of Afghanistan to fight the Taliban and carrying ammunition (ammunition caliber 7, 62, and ammunition) to Tirana (Albania) - Sharjah (UAE) - Kabul (Afghanistan). During the fourteenth flight over the territory of Afghanistan, at an altitude of 8000 meters plane was intercepted by Taliban fighters MiG-21 and put on the airfield of the city of Kandahar. The Taliban accused the Russian pilots and generally interfering in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and placed under the clock security in the economic extension to the house of the governor of the city. Pilots threatened to execute in accordance with the rules of Sharia.
All attempts by Russia, the UN and the United States to release the Russians nor to no avail, even the Taliban refused to ransom of several million dollars. Only a year after the capture, the pilots managed to make a daring escape by using protection oversight.
More recently, the screens out the Russian film "Kandahar", which tells about the events of fifteen years ago, but not under the cut footage from the set ... These pictures - illustration of a true story that took place in 1995 with seven Russian pilots. Unique footage did Vladimir Miller - Party Task Force, which is trying to free the captives, made several trips to Kandahar.





Dr. Vyacheslav Titov and Vladimir Sharpatov, on top of watching them Taliban.



Captured by IL-76, tail number 76842.



Ghulam pilot that the MiG-21 intercepted and IL-76 landed at the airfield in Kandahar.



In the city center



Weekdays hostages



Cleaning the yard under the control of the overseer Abdurazakov.



Nearby streets.



Zamir Kaboul (chief negotiator from the Russian Foreign Ministry) communicates with the crew.



Zurab Kekelidze (member of the Task Force) talks with pilots.



Dr. Vyacheslav Titov.



The Taliban had heard about shuravi-Tabib (Soviet doctors) and were constantly complaining about their troubles and sores.



Strictly controlled Abdurazakov.



Commander Sharpatov watering red-hot and dusty courtyard of his prison ...



In the foreground lunch pilots in the background - medical services to the Taliban.



Kandahar vanity ...



Chief overseer Abdurazak and Vladimir Melnik.



Taliban guards at a reception at the Russian doctor.



The pilot of the MiG-21 and Ghulam Munir Faizullin. Munir regularly shuttled from Sharjah to Kandahar, delivering food and water to the crew.



Cleaning.



Commander Vladimir Sharpatov several months before escaping.



Vladimir Sharpatov in Abu Dhabi (UAE) on the day after the shoot.