Russian Pilots of the Congo

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The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most dangerous countries in the world. It covers an area the size of Western Europe, but has only 1,250 miles of paved road. Naturally, one of the only ways to travel from place to place or to transport goods across the country is by air. Many of the most daring and dangerous pilots in the DRC are Russian. VICE News travels to Goma to meet these Russian expats, and learns what it's like to be a pilot in a country where, in the sky, almost anything goes.
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[@VICENews]

WATCH NEXT: Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has endured 25 years of war, making it the deadliest global conflict since World War II. More than 120 armed groups roam the east terrorizing the civilian population. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGfPmnapeLiIpa8 -

[@MachoMandem]

We need a sequel with the Russian pilots of Congo!

[@Airforceproud95]

I like the girl in this documentary. Good humor, doesn't complain, and is out there doing what most wouldn't ever consider doing. Great documentary.

[@juanan129music6]

The fuck are you doing here 😂

[@Airforceproud95]

JuanAn129Music Just chillin, ya know

[@nnamdichibuzor6032]

Love your videos!

[@retiaryworm4714]

I am also surprised by you being here I remember when you were a channel of 500 subs.

[@steppewop]

Nice to see you here airpoundfource69!

[@Rgibbons]

Looks like those are ex-Soviet navy pilots. Those people were extremely skilled professionals. Great video. Both pilots and the reporters are huge badasses.

[@Rgibbons]

Also, PELMENI, not ravioli, for goodness sake.

[@dolghistefan2202]

I think they're all afghanistan war veterans

[@thememeking994]

DolghiBeta I think so as well.

[@pathosofmine]

Come to think of it, the only Soviet/Russian carrier they had was HELL to land on and live in. That's probably why they're so skilled

[@sergeyivanchenko1747]

extremely professionals? they barely speak some sort of an English. I am from Russia too but I feel ashamed of them because of that.

[@navaryn2938]

Only russians could work literally every day and still look like they are chilling

[@Jitterboi_]

And drink n eat so much! I’d be drunk n lazy

[@thomasmitchell4128]

Is secret to our success, comrade. Chill and work , one in same. Do both while drunk, do both while party. Tell no one what you learned here today.

[@MaximumJoy]

Nice display picture.

[@MH-nq7wy]

Yeah !!! Nothing ventured nothing gained!! Western competitors will lose in this no mercy chassing dollar!!!

[@noisydope]

*hasnt seen an attractive woman in a few years* random russian pilot: "hey ya know whats REALLY best part of the congo pilot experience, is the sauna" he thought he was slick

[@anti-russbot5127]

1 hot blonde hot af girl bunked with like 5 men for days... Yeahhhhh....

[@navaryn2938]

Tbh it may not be with malicious intents, russians REALLY love the sauna

[@noisydope]

@@navaryn2938 oh yea i know. you can tell just by how he acts, he didnt mean anything by it lol

[@ThreeDaysOfDan]

@@navaryn2938 Yeah no, they had a gang bang , let's not pretend it was all innocent.

[@malbig2344]

@@noisydope Do you really need to write "lol".

[@mohaamd_7505]

Me: Why would these pilots work in such a dangerous environment? Vice: They are Russians. me: Oh, I understand now.

[@muhammedalsaif7184]

Mohaamd_7 Hey, fellow Saudi.

[@noahjones8213]

Haha

[@comicbookninja5268]

They said it themselves. They are truly free here.

[@uspatriot6415]

Stalingrad flashback

[@TM-bn8pv]

@@comicbookninja5268 bingo. Anything was better than USSR and still current Russia. They are doing what they love and enjoying themselves more freely than definitely USSR and Russia.

[@bigpanda307]

This reminds me of how great Vice used to be..

[@TheRealUnconnected]

agree, rewatching this in 2019 first time since it came out. Man vice used to be good back in the pre-youtube days where you waited fucking forever for it to buffer through their site.

[@phoneone1371]

Vice is still good on storys where they cant tote libtards stupid talking points

[@phoneone1371]

Yea you smart coast people are impressive with the transgender 5 yearolds

[@phoneone1371]

No you are actually first and formost destroying your next generation with pedophiles piggybacked on the alphabet community ,the smug liberal attitude is the death of the DNC ,because you cant learn from mistakes the RNC is no better trust me ,play stupid games win stupid prizes.To me the band is playing as the Titanic is sinking and to further analogy lets keep building Titanics as ice breakers peace out

[@ciaranmolloy1204]

phillip martin I’m Irish and I hate vice now and I don’t think the Emerald Isle is a fly over state

[@iamthatguy1870]

I like this Girl...She really looks comfortable with some unknown Old russian man in Africa...

[@andayimushenye9839]

There are cameras, their crews and bodyguards all around.

[@Dede_Stepas]

They wont touch her. Actually otherwise. They would defend her till the end if needed.

[@777jones]

Crazy Sven the best girls are found out there doing the best stuff. Where were they? Not where you and I ended up

[@Beanie-Sandals]

@@777jones how do you and I get there? is it too late??

[@differentbutsimilar7893]

@@Beanie-Sandals It's really simple, I think. Be passionate about what you're doing... look for opportunities to follow through with those things. Why pine for a chick when you know you couldn't keep up with her passions when you could seek whatever things she has that you want for yourself on your own. That's the attraction, right? She put her whole self into doing crazy awesome shit. You can do that too... just gotta figure out what you want to do to ignite that same kind of flame. And then maybe while you're following your dreams, you meet your dream girl. If not, you're still doing awesome shit. So it's all a win in the big picture. Realistically, you can find people of all personalities involved in anything... so there's really no need to chase a pretty girl across the fuckin continent of Africa in order to have somebody into cool shit with a bitchin personality.

[@ats-3693]

I worked in Africa for 10 years working as a geophysicist on airborne geophysical surveys, several years of this in the DRC, the craziest flight I ever took was a flight from Kananga to Kinshasa on a really beat up Antonov 26 flown by a Russian crew, it was half freight and half passenger you had to walk through the cargo hold to get to the passenger section at the back, it stunk of fish inside, my seat was broken and leaned to one side and didn't have a seat belt. The inflight meal was brought out during the flight it was a dry bread roll and an ice cold big (750ml) bottle of simba beer, no glass just drink from the bottle, oh and smoking on board was not an issue, good times lol.

[@crazyhorsetrading8655]

Gives new meaning to economy class

[@gustavocodm5671]

Wow I just finished my geophysics degree, and now I’m considering going to a flight school, I know a little bit about airborne geophysics surveys , do you think there’s a lot of opportunities being a pilot and a geophysicist?

[@ats-3693]

@@gustavocodm5671 Hmm, not really, geophysical survey pilots are highly specialised in low level flying it's a demanding job, the pilots work with the aviation side of the industry and the geophysicists and operators look after the data and geophysical instruments, like most highly technical industries it's very compartmentalised with specialists concentrating on the work their department does.

[@megapet777]

lol sounds like fun adventure.

[@jd943bd]

@@crazyhorsetrading8655 The bottle of beer is certainly above economy class

[@ElwoodBluesAK]

A Vice reporter that doesn't rant, curse and complain all the time, wow!

[@og-bg6.2]

Very rare

[@kucingdterbakard3765]

Reminds me of the good days of vice long gone now

[@sm7baller435]

@@fuckenloser9765 right wingers the biggest snowflakes

[@thetomatoking9714]

@@sm7baller435 Why'd you assume they are right wing?

[@smallrossy]

@@sm7baller435 California lefties are the worst

[@decryptmars]

„I once swam with dolphins! What do you have to offer?!“ „I once got spanked with birch branches by drunken russian pilots in a sauna in Kongo.“

[@mctavishsoap3815]

Decrypt Mars i think the Russians call sauna ‘banya’

[@nikitaastakhov9252]

@@mctavishsoap3815 yep

[@Nik-xi2ri]

Banya

[@willymakeit5172]

LMFAO

[@piyushvaidya5086]

Watching this after a Russian pilot just landed a plane near a Cornfield when the engines failed, saving all 240 something people on board. Man these Russians are a tough people.

[@fiddlesticksbessette398]

OUR PILOTS ARE ALSO TOUGH,AND SAVE PPL ALSO.

[@andrewfraser3343]

@@fiddlesticksbessette398 chill

[@redi4ka951]

Not near, but just in it’s middle

[@PastLight]

A lot of them are old generation, most of them saw Afgan war, and it was pretty much survival of the fittest/brightest there... After you manage to dodge missiles flying at you every single day, land with a plane full of holes, suddenly, landing with multiple engine failure is just a normal day in the office.

[@maratshaydullin57]

@@PastLight he was a 41 y.o. Tatar guy. He was born around the time that war began.

[@teufelhund4921]

8:00 his co-pilot is Jesus....classic

[@pasindabimsara4617]

So he can literally sing "Jesus take the wheel". 😄

[@pointlessopinion611]

And the Devil is his Wingman--->Yee(wtvr the russian version of Haw is)

[@toxichammertoe8696]

😂😂😂😂

[@TM-bn8pv]

One thing a majority of Americans and Russians have in common...Jesus Christ. I mean we have many similarities with eachother except politicians from both sides.

[@SlateShufflez]

jesus take the wheel!

[@xcofcd]

This is such a typical encounter with Russian people... You get there as total stranger and first thing they feed you like you're a family member...then badass stuff is done like flying Antonov in Congo...then they cook, feed you again and make you drink with them. After they get very passionate with their sauna and invite you. You think meh I don't know, afterwards you feel the sauna was the best thing you ever did. After 3 days time to say goodbye...If they have a garden you get a year supply of homemade marmalade, tomatos, pickles and maybe even milk in a big glass container if they have a cow. You leave feeling you've found a new family and know the people for 30 years...😂😂😂

[@user-pc6ew8ee2r]

that's what i call christian tradition

[@EdCourney]

You are sooooooo right.

[@Izuverus]

Да, всё верно.

[@vladm9384]

So true

[@morislaguerta4415]

@Daniel Callahan what if you are a biscuit?

[@Twixter111]

5:51 26000 total flying hours -- FOUR YEARS IN THE SKY. Thats a true pilot! Great respect!

[@refusoagaino6824]

I'm not a pilot but 4 years, 5 years or 10 years in the sky is meaningless if the aircraft also has 30 seconds in the dirt.

[@zoki.to974]

and your perfect driving record of 30+ years, never any mistake made by you is meaningless when some idiot t-bone you in the intersection or head on... just so you know, it was stupid comment unrelated to anything regarding those pilots in this video or comment above...

[@aymenopa3563]

Great liar

[@Cd5ssmffan]

@KZbin are snowflakes You don't have to project your stupidity onto other people.

[@tradjic136]

@@aymenopa3563 your mother is a whore

[@mala7794]

7:35 they handle the cargo better than the crew at heatrow

[@mysamsung1876]

Heathrow*

[@brittanybonnie1478]

thats because us americans are lazy and trying to move as slow as possible and run the clock out

[@redkingnate6995]

Brittany Bonnie Heathrow is in Britain not America.

[@user-gn6kd7ox1s]

LMAO

[@user-dc9oq2pr6v]

@@redkingnate6995 lol

[@rileyatkinson6737]

This is the fellowship of men as it should be. These men are like brothers and don’t even need words to communicate with one another. This is the greatest form of friendship in the world

[@skateboarding118]

💯

[@curtnelson6240]

Looks more comfortable than my last flight on Spirit Airlines.

[@TooHonest4_You]

😂😂😂😂😂 looks more luxury too

[@ElvisCarReviews]

lol

[@PastLight]

@@bobsemple7660 I don't know if I should upvote your comment, cause I understand you perfectly, or just downvote cause they're just that awful :D

[@ToneeBologna.]

Go fly in Africa and you’ll be begging to fly on Spirit. You’ll be begging to ride on greyhound TBH.

[@789french5]

Between the surprisingly open-minded russians, the non-hipsterness of the reporter and the fucking totally from scratch ravioli, this is the kind of of-the-wall random crazy shit that only Vice or maybe JourneyMan would do! Keep this up!

[@thethreeamazingmen]

never heard of journeyman till just now....vice is good but i cut through their videos like a pack of cookies (quite fast)...thank you

[@DRiggity9810]

ive never heard anyone else mention journeyman before especially on the vice channel. i've been watching them for a year or so now and they have some great stuff!

[@789french5]

Journeyman is fantastic! Its all the in depth on the ground reporting that mainstream news ignores without the occasional sensationalism you get from vice or the damn hipsters. Though I do love Eddie Huang (read his book!) and munchies, though the latter is rather hit or miss. But yea I recommend journeyman for anyone who loves really detailed coverage of worldwide issues: from imbedding with the taliban to sex trafficking, they do a great job

[@softporcupine4514]

Narrator: "They did not keep it up"

[@JamesCarter-nf1dy]

It’s not ravioli it’s Pelmeni

[@Fishyboy14]

Man, I remember watching this and being inspired to become a bush pilot. Now Here I am with 250 hours and take my commercial checkride tomorrow. I pray I can be half the pilots these men are. When I saw they had Jesus as part of my crew I was truly touched, takes a lot of faith to fly a machine through the air.

[@bmsagar1]

Good luck mate, hope you’re doing well!

[@JackSparrow-rv3cc]

How did you do on your checkride? I am preparing for my Private pilot solo soon, I got inspired by Barry Seal.

[@danielevans8910]

Also chose to become a pilot after being inspired by bush pilots. Taking my private pilot checkride soon, how is your career going?

[@ricardopuente7192]

glgl

[@milesbrown8016]

Well done to you with your certification 👌🏻🛫

[@no1reallycaresabout2]

I like how this piece isn't just about the flying but also about sense of community these pilots have built for each other far from home

[@jackiechan_wtf4041]

A sausage, a slice of bread and a whole tomato. 😅 Breakfast of champs.

[@ScubaDiverMan711]

It’s weird because for us it’s a snack

[@ariespisiti4220]

To be quite honest, this sounds like the best meal I would ever expect while fyling with ex soviet pilots in the DR Kongo. It's made with love.

[@rajchauhan77]

wow what a life. Man Russians can live happily under any circumstances. Hats Off

[@scheusselmensch5713]

Russian pilot good friend was flying in South America when the Soviet Union went tango uniform. His pay stopped within weeks and they never even sent him a ticket home! Eventually he was without a place to live but he was always a nice guy to the locals so they (even the hookers lol) bought him food and found him a bed to sleep in. He bare ass lucked out and got a Canadian visa and is flying for one of the majors now. Crazy fucking world.

[@MayDayDevinci]

7:09 "thick bush"....."jungle bush" 😁

[@maxmuller8633]

Isn't she the actress in the movie Tomb raider?

[@blackachilles8745]

Because shesa dirty girl

[@tymirra8769]

hahaha i was laughing hard

[@lahire186]

@@HansBalneger ah, the "good" and old racism.

[@lahire186]

@@locky2127 do you have any actual data or study to support your statement?

[@Whitepandemic]

these guys put a smile on my face , happy to see some hard working people being happy and being there selfs

[@ironwork92000]

The Russians arejust nuts. They'd fly a brick if you'd let them.

[@ingusmant]

Don't give them ideas man, they are gonna do it

[@Grumpy_old_Boot]

Oy, what do you guys have against bricks, huh ? They fly fantastic ! :)

[@trizh2196]

Wasn't it a Russian guy that farted in space first?

[@ironwork92000]

LMAO!! Bro You're nuts! Must be Russian, LOL!

[@SnuffDizz]

they would actually get the brick off the ground

[@SmileForSniper]

Can never hate a man who cuts his dough with a shot glass.

[@dutchess2121]

My 91 year old granny does the same. That's just a Soviet thing

[@redi4ka951]

I met this comment right in time XD

[@vyomsood7175]

@@redi4ka951 timestamp?

[@redi4ka951]

@@vyomsood7175 15:07 enjoy)

[@vyomsood7175]

@@redi4ka951 yess thanks

[@ghazypangerang6118]

Rest of the world: Beer is Alcohol! Russians: No they're not.

[@illiachapliiov4582]

too weak to be alcohol

[@MargaritaMagdalena]

Nobody ever said that

[@ghazypangerang6118]

@@MargaritaMagdalena Probably not. Anyways, it was just a joke.

[@Fumfig]

This reporter is so charming. Really enjoyed this documentary.

[@Fumfig]

Daniel Schmidt I guess beauty is an abstract concept.

[@AFroese]

She did an excellent job! She got along well with all the guys, and just acted like a regular person getting to know someone. There are some of the female VICE reporters who make the documentary all about their personal views on the subject. It was nice just to have the story told with Simone's influence being on the focus she had on certain interesting aspects of it.

[@InvadersMustDie2CR]

Fumfig She had one of them dumb over priced hats on. I can't stand that look that she's going for, the Dick head look.

[@glaucofernando9154]

Awesome beautiful eyes!!!

[@Fumfig]

Daniel Schmidt Gotta love me a fuccgirl.

[@gantzisballs]

Never drink alcohol in sauna! Only beer! I fucking love these guys! Beer only started to count as an alcoholic beverage in Russia 2 years ago. Before that it was considered like spritzers in the US, a joke drink for little girls. Never get in a drinking contest against Russians! I dated a Russian girl once and she weighed about half as much as I do and could drink about 3 times as much as me.

[@swgar]

It's inaccurate. I suppose the only exception that everyone was allowed to sell beer without licence e.g. in tiny shops and fast food stands. But it still was illegal to sell beer to under-ages. Ah, well, also advertisement of beer was allowed but with some restriction.

[@MrStudio1991]

guessing you're not from Wisconsin.

[@tomcat9112]

I never get into contest with them, i built friendship ... although not speaking well Russian. And my wife is half my weight and drinks 3 times what i do. Russians are amazing.

[@seamyq1]

Russians bunch of lightweights vodka is for babies when you grow up you drink whiskey

[@theotherstark2361]

She’s great and amazing brave girl to do all that big time journalist

[@aircanuck]

As a pilot who has flown all over the world, including Africa, I must say, this is incredibly well done. Tremendous insight, wish there was more!

[@xerakis5620]

God Bless these Russians ….genuine people.

[@aaronb2779]

@Joe Bloggs How does being religious make u a none genuine person

[@nathandrake4803]

@Joe Bloggs stupid

[@elliott5526]

@@aaronb2779 Russians can be religious

[@aaronb2779]

@@elliott5526 I know lol. I was replying to someone who made a dumb comment then deleted it.

[@elliott5526]

@@aaronb2779 bet that was a quick response to a comment from 10 months ago

[@AnonMujahid]

If I owned a private jet, they would be my pilots

[@hometownmedic7355]

The way out of date with pilot continuing education pilots flying fifty year old prop planes with little to no regard for safety regulations would be your first choice to fly your fifty million dollar gulf stream?

[@MartinsVoltech]

sausage, tomato and plain bread is the most russian meal and it does wonders

[@Nantosuelta]

All the pilots were so incredibly friendly.

[@yeahright6048]

2:18 damn that guy speaks English really well

[@kevray]

He really does, no accent or anything

[@tatendazuze]

He probably grew up overseas and moved back home. Some people study abroad and then move back.

[@joshimdhishim309]

Rare high IQ male

[@spicypigs6103]

@@joshimdhishim309 ?

[@zeroeffortmemes]

May be from another African country with English speaking higher education (DRC is a francophone country) or lived in America during his youth

[@thegelik4967]

Did she just call Pilmeni „Ravioli“?! Oh HEEEEELL NO

[@alexden7714]

Pelmeni

[@lesflynn4455]

What a great bunch of blokes. I bet those Russian pilots are very well educated. I believe it was a pre-requisite for Russian pilot officers in Soviet times. They would know those aircraft inside and out. They were so hospitable and respectful to the Vice reporter.

[@nimhut]

hard to dislike this video. i hope Congo's get better soon and Russian Pilots, you are so cool like thumbs up

[@locallion1218]

Soviet plane good... no worry

[@user-wr7tb6qi7o]

+special_K Yes, but may be more fuel

[@dancan4949]

@@user-wr7tb6qi7o Dont worry. Vodka can be fuel.

[@stayranty1595]

Dont worry if fuel empty we pee in tank is the same like vodka

[@itsbutterz6079]

the russians where very kind to that girl

[@thhal6058]

it's kinda hard to become pilot in Russia. easier now, but in the Soviet times (when those guys have been trained obviously) that used to be really tricky. You never really ended up as a pilot if you were dumb, had overall bad personality or lacked discipline. So, frankly speaking, I have never met a Russian pilot trained in the pre-1990s era who would be much different from those dudes. Like all of them have class.

[@olbillyboi1829]

She was kind to those Russians 8===D (. (. )

[@MrHeadSet1]

@@olbillyboi1829 i wanna see the director's cut of this video

[@olbillyboi1829]

@@MrHeadSet1 "Russians Invade Simone's Southern Region Uncut.."

[@JazzFunkNobby1964]

Yes they behaved like gentlemen. Not many of us left.

[@jacobmacartney1921]

I can't be the only one laughing their ass off at how casual these Russians are, gotta love em!

[@theblasphemousgospel6824]

VICE is great when they are producing non political contents.

[@shitmagnet5136]

It's not unbiased. They have an audience to maintain.

[@j.carlosandrioli7639]

non-political, non-journalistic... this video is simply a vlog of a tourist going around in congo

[@user-mq9oy4nh9g]

Is this sarcasm ?

[@chrisreiser1499]

Vice is always great.

[@phoneone1371]

OP so true miss the old days someone else will carry the torch they have sold out remember what atracted me to vice was general buck naked original story that was cutting edge journalism not lame anti trump crap now .Quit gargeling ball sacks and find roots but now CNN owns it very sad

[@jonkennedyfederation]

THICK JUNGLE BUSH

[@SasquatchArtistBenoit]

Love how she clarified by saying “jungle bush” (before her cameraman probably was dying to declare “that’s what she said “ )

[@madhukarjonathanminj2772]

Lol yes,i noticed that, pretty cute.

[@zerla6018]

Cant describe how good this episode actually is. Reporter is supercute; footage is great; pilots are classy; banya, pelmeni & russian guitar songs are just awesome by its nature; and those Antonovs they be flying on were made on my hood area.

[@airbornetortilla9489]

Why does it matter if the reporter is cute?

[@vivek27789]

@@airbornetortilla9489 Grabs attention and pleasant for the eyes. 😂

[@ManteIIo]

@@airbornetortilla9489 Because otherwise nobody would care to watch those weather forecasts, duh.

[@seriousknick-knacks3524]

9:49 he is actually saying “Nyiragongo”, which is the name of the volcano near Goma. Not “Here in Congo”

[@saptarshibardhan2279]

Serious knick-knacks Thank you... To me, it is one of the most important comments down here

[@sofuswurtz5951]

Goes to meet russian pilots: doesn't bring anyone who can speak Russian...

[@banger2998]

Vice dropped the most random docu series 9 years ago and they are all gold haha

[@KingofGermanic]

"People need to see this on their television!" Uhh yeah about that budyy

[@gamestv4875]

I worked on airports in the Congo with these Russian pilots. It was such a great time and I would do it anytime again.

[@TriadAgone]

Honestly, seems like a good experience all round. Some good old pilots just having a good time and flying some damn airplanes. Wholesome documentary I think (:

[@kinglouis6974]

TriadAgone I would love too do this for real

[@azcardguy7825]

“Never drink alcohol before the sauna. The most you can drink is beer” 😂

[@rayblanco4477]

I'm Mexican and I swear I feel like I was meant to be Russian the way they live. Much love from Coachella California.

[@Nik-xi2ri]

I love mexico and the people!!!

[@brunorootsbr]

When the aliens arrive in this planet i want to be close to a russian. He will know what to do.

[@mrshipofsteam1161]

Bruno Lopes true words!

[@silent_bob_]

I'd say. No. They would drink and not care.

[@TheTantanski]

@@silent_bob_ One russian sauna sesh with the alines and we got interstellar friends.!

[@ScubaDiverMan711]

We will gift aliens vodka and a place to sit in sauna, the aliens will leave with a smile

[@mysamsung1876]

I have Russian heritage and even speak the language if something happens contact me I'll get some vodka

[@VICENews]

WATCH NEXT: Russia's Little Green Men Enter Ukraine - bit.ly/2QRcWuo

[@schuylerleithulfr788]

WATCH NEXT: US's little Green Men Enter Syria and Iraq.

[@crzypyromaniac6406]

Still. These little green Russian men have more guts than the western armies.

[@nicogame5039]

What happened to you, Vice? You used to be great...

[@tacoman6293]

Nobody cares about Africa

[@ctcole77]

@@schuylerleithulfr788 WATCH NEXT: Lying Russian fascist trolls paid by Adolf Putin SLAVA UKRAINE!

[@Gryronaut]

Much respect to these pilots and crew. Thanks for the documentary.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

*_I saw this video 8 years ago... I was so impressed with Simone and her professionalism that I had to watch again._* Just watched this video again and am still impressed. Simone not only did an excellent job producing this video, she was a great ambassador to the United States. It is not easy being in a conflict zone. Even harder when you have to blend in with a foreign flight crew. The Russians spoke English well enough to be understood. They may be in the Congo, but they bring Russian traditions with them. It was interesting to see the dynamics between the Russians, Locals, and Simone. It had to be a tense atmosphere with warring divisions in DRC. Simone demonstrated skills that can be used in any situation or job. She is already programmed to be successful in any venture she attempts. People Skills are the most important ones that successful people have an abundance of and Simone has really good People Skills. *_Wishing Simone Bazos the best life has to offer her. She is one of a kind._*

[@realomon]

Did you notice that there was also a Belarusian and Ukrainian pilot among them? Getting along just fine? Geopolitics spoils everything.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

@@realomon Thanks for comment... great observation. Both are Slav's and from same ancestors. I have a grandma from St Petersburg Russia and a grandpa from Odessa. It was all part of Russian Empire. They left before the 1917 revolution.

[@ManteIIo]

@@realomon People don't differentiate much if at all, being Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian is being exactly the same Slav which is synonymous word to majority if you name either of those countries to them, same blood, same traditions, same language. This said, Belarus and Ukraine didn't even exist until very recently, just a few decades ago appeared out of nowhere and now trying to divide people politically.

[@DanTheGreatHD]

Amazing documentary! Really good reporter + great pilots

[@KingOfParrots]

Haha, never heard a Russian speak French, that was pretty cool. You could still hear the accent

[@lethaldosage6040]

Check out VICE's docu called "Driving Ferraris with Thai *something*" There's 2 Thai men who have British accents but you can also hear Thai accent in there all while they speak English lol

[@Vippyrs]

OpieSVT Yes, having a Thai accent when speaking english is really strange.... How exactly is that any different from having a Thai accent when speaking American English?

[@lethaldosage6040]

Vip You're confused.

[@RiordanJordan]

When was he speaking french? At the part at the end where the captain is singing?

[@borisrivas2929]

Jordan Riordan Cant be, he is speaking russian in that part XD

[@Joe-bm4wx]

This is probably one of the best Vice pieces i've seen! More like this please.

[@Nik-xi2ri]

Russians

[@philipmulville8218]

This is an awesome documentary. The Russian pilots are true professionals, and Simone did a great job in capturing their adventurous life. Bravo.

[@vondahe]

Notice how one of “the Russians” is from Ukraine? I think these guys would keep flying together regardless of what happens at home. They’re a team and very pragmatic.

[@blacksatanist]

​@@vondahe russian Ukrainian and belarusian they see themselves as the same

[@colt-_-jonson1743]

​@@vondahe seems like you're hoping for conflict

[@BingoBangoCongo]

I worked there is 2006. Flying for another outfit. This is a great video representing what goes on in Goma. Miss the place a lot.

[@AlejandroMunez]

Молодцы мужики! Счастья и крепкого здоровья Вам! Гордимся Вами!

[@jackherstam7935]

I watched this back in 2014 and thought it was a cool report from a challenging part of the world to report from. Now six years later, I'm a pilot and flight instructor and the amount of regulatory and safety issues is the main focus for me. It's remarkable that there haven't been more incidents and accidents in the DRC aside from a handful between the filming of this report and April 2020. This is likely due to there being so few revenue flights in this part of the world to begin with.

[@beatusmushi2686]

Very good documentary. I applaud the girl for being out there risking her life and make a good ambassador to the people around her.

[@thunderpussy8956]

I've watched this a couple of times now and it still makes me smile. These guys are just amazing! By far my favourite Vice video yet.

[@spitfire1x3]

What happened to you Vice? What happened to these fantastic documentaries and reports? Bring these back!

[@IlyaSmirnov1980]

Today Russophobia in fashion, it makes ratings.

[@aymericdekerdanet9318]

spitfire1x3 it’s quite sad really: Vice learnt the hard way that the KZbin and Facebook algorithms favorises content from users, not producers; quantity over quality

[@ohdude6643]

Vitalli's videos would be a hit on KZbin.

[@spacej0e]

Wow! What a fantastic story. And from a place you would never expect it. Excellent work!

[@Wehrmacht900]

Young Western female reporter travelling with Soviet/Russian pilots in war torn African country..

[@PolakInHolland]

The Wehrmacht did more than its fair share of raping in Russia and Warsaw.

[@Wehrmacht900]

How's that relevant? Oh nevermind, you're a Polak, EVERYTHING is related to glorious Poland's struggle right.

[@Wehrmacht900]

***** I'm not afraid to admit the Nazis are dead either. So I don't know what the fuck he's on about telling me that WW2 ended? Like, no shit? Really?

[@deprogramm]

PolakInHolland Yea remember who gave Russia the ability to win the war. The U.S. were the ones who could have taken Berlin, but we let you have it and soon regretted it.

[@WeirdHieroglyphicSymbol]

***** To be honest, you have to be stupid to not know having "Wehrmacht" as your name, and a Nazi as your picture would not get you that kind of attention and reply even if your original comment has absolutely nothing to do with WW2 or NAZI's.

[@calechips7466]

7:10 - i like how she had to specify that the "thick bush" was "jungle bush"

[@thepepleschamp]

Cale Chips then she got smacked with the bush,

[@oliilo1]

Thicc bush ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@MrLanternland]

Cale Chips Ha ha!

[@beatusmushi2686]

These pilots are the most humble professionals you can ever meet in today’s humanity.

[@wavargasmolina]

7:30 Checking with bare hands how hot are rims. An old method that helps to know if brakes are OK.

[@doransshield9176]

yep

[@munsifghalib]

Love how she had to clarify what type of bush she was talking about at 7:10

[@keetonpark]

This girl really let them talk her into a sauna lmao

[@jacobcarolan1172]

Vice is probably my favorite news when they produce non political stories.

[@theworld3435]

Jacob carolan, you do know this is a old video right? Starting twenty sixteen VICE became a complaining “news” site (I put these “” because nowadays they only want to rant about small issues).

[@briankimmell7960]

Hello Russia, Americans love you and your country. What a beautiful people. Thanks for the video

[@EHB4323]

Like you, this Canadian feels exactly the same way!!!

[@WOLFGANG1125]

You gotta love those crazy Russians.

[@gantzisballs]

Yep.

[@rob41593]

Have to say I really like this one. Was a nice change from all the huge political revolutions going on. Nice to have these nice stories that give a closer human element. Keep up the good work vice your my last credible news sight left!

[@kksdiiiv1447]

site^ not sight

[@realrichlv]

and "you're".

[@leonardvandevelde3846]

does he still think vice is a credible news sight?

[@yusufakals]

Leonard Vandevelde not anymore

[@Mattreyu199]

@@leonardvandevelde3846 I bet not.

[@pbski]

Knowing these men are out there doing what they love doing the most makes me a very happy person.

[@angeleduardotrejomunguia8664]

Probably the coolest Vice documentary I've seen.

[@bobdole7851]

bottle of stolichnaya on the table lol. godbless the russians

[@chrisdevins]

Ever since I saw how Russians eat on their submarines, how they socialize, I think they are cool to hang out with

[@aSuspiciousPete]

We're just like hardcore Americans.

[@jonathanfredriksson2893]

aSuspiciousPete says the american lol

[@nikolayuvarov9694]

You are correct my friend, we are indeed as you say "chill" and "cool" to hang out with. As long as you don't try to invade our country. :3

[@sUpErBaD96]

Nikolay Uvarov Kind of ironic, huh? LOL

[@scudb5509]

Erwin Ellong Nope.

[@johnkidwell4866]

One of Vice's greatest pieces!

[@rmurphy440m]

7:22 - I love how she kind of stumbles out of the plane. Very cute!

[@hori2534]

they look like a chill bunch

[@StevesSammiches]

"We could be going in opposite directions at the same level, it could be very dangerous. That's what makes the Russian crew a little bit 'special'"

[@davidcerven5072]

probably the best "small" aviation documentary I have ever seen ! Beautiful, truly beautiful ! No doubt, aviation stories are the best stories

[@Livelaughlimpbizkit]

I watched this years ago and I’m so glad I found it agaib

[@MrOvidiuk]

12:07 'never drink alcohol' When this cam from a russian man MUST be take seriously!!!

[@user-tq2cf7cz5b]

👍😁

[@charlieboyzname]

Hospitality of the greatest kind. It’s similar with military groups in similar situations. They fall in love with the people and become happy with very little by providing for those they love at home. Bravo my friends. Peace Charlie UK 🇬🇧

[@DimaEzPony]

After watching this video for the 4th time or so, i can really say that it captured the whole russian vibe beautifully and masterfully. Great subject, great documentry, keep them coming vice 😀

[@liamjohnny335]

Deeply deeply fascinating the crew, the journalism and the country...

[@NishantPinto]

This is why I love VICE!

[@georgejpadayatti3866]

Nishant Pinto me too. But vice is now bad after their documentary on syria.

[@Bleublaze]

George J Padayatti the reporters used to be tough ready to die and risk health to get money now vice is an ad scheme

[@JohnDoe-kg5zm]

vice - cheap propaganda

[@derejedandita5860]

Ethiopia

[@derejedandita5860]

ethiopian

[@matof1428]

"Lord of war" landing scene come in my mind.

[@zacherius137]

These guys... top brass. Love this, I come back to it once every couple years. VICE DO A FOLLOW UP PLEASE!

[@PumpUptheJam81]

THIS is why I love KZbin.