Kandahar prisoners

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, fight the Taliban and carrying ammunition (bullets caliber 7, 62 and ammunition) from Tirana (Albania) - Sharjah (UAE) - Kabul (Afghanistan). During the fourteenth flight over the territory of Afghanistan, at an altitude of 8000 meters plane was intercepted Taliban MiG-21 and put on the airfield of the city of Kandahar. The Taliban accused the pilots and the whole Russia of 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 execution in accordance with 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 the protection oversight.
Most 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 occurred in 1995 with seven Russian pilots. Unique shots did Volodymyr Melnik - member of the operative group, which is trying to free the captives, made several trips to Kandahar.
21 photos





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



The captured IL-76, tail number 76842.



Pilot Ghulam that the MiG-21 intercept and IL-76 landed at the airfield in Kandahar.



In the city center



Weekdays hostages



Cleaning the yard under the supervision of an overseer Abdurazakov.



Nearby streets.



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



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



Dr. Viacheslav Titov.



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



Under the close supervision of 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.

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Kandahar vanity ...



The chief overseer Abdurazak Vladimir Melnik.



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



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