The Stolen MiG-25 "Foxbat" and Viktor Belenko's Defection of 1976

[@mbathroom1]

Defected to the west but actually went east

[@willnailer2118]

😂😂😂

[@luketorres1408]

🎶 LIKE A G-6

[@sunyue5076]

Japan was part of the "western" allies. When you talk about "the west" you not only refer to it geographically but its values. And japan certainly is also a democracy

[@mbathroom1]

@@sunyue5076 japan isn't western, the west is white countries

[@koc988]

@@mbathroom1 someone forgot about South America

[@Георгийс-с5ч]

"By the way, I did not steal the airplane. I had clearances. I just changed my flight plans slightly in the air." V. Belenko.

[@cranberryeater7459]

*Traitor* who betrayed his own countrymen. Gave up technology that the USSR developed to the enemy to benefit himself. How many lives it could have saved.

[@woozy7405]

@@cranberryeater7459 Who said he defected? He performed a special midair relocation.

[@woozy7405]

​@@cranberryeater7459 Maybe consider the way his country treated him, the lies they told their people, and what conditions were in it. Instead you blame him. You're angry he revealed your miserable truth and wanted a better life.

[@woozy7405]

​@@cranberryeater7459 Plenty of lives were saved with the US finally realizing the "technology" the USSR developed was a piece of junk. It did more good and saved more lives being sold to poorer countries which were the only ones low enough to desire that plane.

[@h8GW]

@Woozy I'm not a betting man, but I'd put good money on that _someone_ here is also salty about Ukraine.

[@The_Custos]

"I'm defecting, and coming in to land." *in Russian* Hakodate flight control: NANI!?

[@theophrastusbombastus8019]

Omae blyat MiG shindeiru?

[@Zyralta]

Both underrated comments

[@bachelbel]

Belenko:I've already landed. Hakodate flight control: uaburebebebu?!?!!?

[@tomcarroll6116]

In 1989, while guiding for a salmon fishing lodge outside of King Salmon, Alaska a couple of F-15 pilots from the nearby base came out to fish with us. They had Viktor 'in their care" and I spent several days with him. One of the most interesting people I had the pleasure of fishing with!

[@joby-wankenobinolan3428]

What was he like?

[@tomcarroll6116]

@@joby-wankenobinolan3428 Somewhat reticent and soft spoken, but willing to talk about life in the U.S.S.R. vs America. Told me about how when first taken out to a supermarket that he didn't believe it was real - that average American citizens had access to so much - he dismissed it as some sort of sham. He related that Russian propaganda painted America as a miserable place with a failing economy and a dejected, dispirited populace. He said that he found Americans to be the happiest and friendliest people he had ever encountered and attributed it to the fact that we were truly free.

[@R3NOV8]

@@tomcarroll6116 that is 100% true. I've immigrated in the 90s and the supermarkets were a shock to me. As well as everyone smiling.

[@hogopogo7616]

@@tomcarroll6116 The same propaganda is going on in today's Russia.The song remains the same.

[@CreatingAlong]

@@R3NOV8 🙂

[@thevoxofreason8468]

I read the book "Mig Pilot" in the late 80's when I was around 13 yo. I was fascinated by fighter planes, pilots and the Cold War...and this story had it all.

[@robertorequenes2459]

I found that book in a MWR library in Iraq after I saw destroyed Iraqi Mig 25 on the Air Field

[@hogopogo7616]

There's a new Cold War coming, stay tuned.

[@christianorr1059]

@@robertorequenes2459 Ironically, I read the book in 2011, whilst I was working as a contractor at the Al Asad Airbase Flightline Badging Office, a short distance from the "graveyard" where the dead IqAF Foxbat was located!

[@christianorr1059]

Great book! However, the host of the video is incorrect when he states that it was an autobiography authored by Belenko himself; it was actually written by John Barron.

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

Awesome vid. If you are interested the Japanese company Hasegawa released a model kit of the MIG25 shortly after this defection. The markings for Belenko's aircraft are included in it.

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

Forgot to mention, rumour has it that Hasegawa were allowed access to the aircraft to take measurements. The kit is still produced and available. I have one to build.

[@HoH]

Very cool, thanks for pointing it out! When I was a kid I used to play with Airfix soldiers and haven't really thought about them for many years. Brings back memories!

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

@@HoH Airfix were a big part of my childhood too. And still a big thing for me as I work in the model Industry, and I created the 'Unofficial Airfix Modellers forum' I used to work on real aircraft too and am restoring the Ercoupe cockpit section in my avatar and a Cessna 140 fuselage too.

[@memonk11]

I ran to the hobby store as soon as that came out. Well... actually, my older brother drove.

[@h8GW]

Stealth burn via a no-so-stealthy aircraft.

[@DardanellesBy108]

I was about ten when this happened. Before the defection I remember hearing about the Mig-25. I had other friends who were also into military aircraft. Everything in our young minds was exaggerated myth. The US was going to be brought to it’s knees by this incredible aircraft! What could we possibly do about it? Unfortunately lots of the aviation books I read in my school library were about 1950’s and 1960’s US aircraft and I really thought we were screwed! Haha! Ahhh youth.

[@robertsansone1680]

I'm a little older than you & I remember hearing the same type of worries about the T-62 tank. Then came The Yom Kippur War. You know the rest of that story.

[@hogopogo7616]

@@DardanellesBy108 Especially when it's russian made.

[@pottyputter05]

@@robertsansone1680 funny how history is repeating itself right now eh? You must have a similar perspective to my father watching the Russian confederation from '91 to today and the rumors of them being able to challenge the USA on the battlefield. Conventional military comparisons are kinda laughable now but it's just awful the way we've found out, Ukraine has suffered horribly but given us a gift in both destroying the myth of the Russian "near peer" and by extention the Chinese but also being an example of a people united that we haven't seen in a long time.

[@robertsansone1680]

@@pottyputter05 When I was a teenager in the Seventies, I would read about the weapons of the Cold War. NATO vs. The Warsaw Pact. "They have so many tanks, we have so many". Aircraft, ships etc. The big wildcard in the deck was, will the E. European "Allies" of the Soviets fight like tigers or shoot their Russian Masters in the back & join us? Judging from the way things turned out, I would guess the latter of the scenarios. Believe me, the Soviets factored in this possibility a lot more than we did.

[@lampegutt123]

Om noen in the 90s. To me it’s fascinating how both the peoples of the SU and the west were certain the other side was bent on the destruction of the other side. The arms race was founded and justified with scaring their populations with their enemy being evil and would destroy their entire nation if they had the chance. But in 1947 Stalin actually suggested to the UN Security Council, to destroy and never produce any nuclear weapons. But the US refused and so the Soviets developed their own, and the threat of total destruction of the world was and still is a very real possibility. Extremely sad, and I as a citizen of a NATO country focus more on what role the US/NATO has in endangering world peace. I mean Bush Sr and the American delegation to the conference on German unification promised many times that if the SU pulled out of Eastern Europe and they did. By doing this they knew the whole Warsaw Pact would become fully independent nations. All the Gorbachev asked for in return, was that NATO (an alliance founded to fight the Soviets and do whatever it could to isolate the Soviets) would not expand eastward and that this new Unified Germany would remain militarily neutral. This was of course ignored after the unification and withdrawal of Soviet forces in Europe. And thanks to this we now have a paranoid Russia that feels NATO is slowly trying to choke Russia off. And it’s not a bad observation! Yet when Putin after warning NATO 10+ times not to expand in to Ukraine and Georgia, they still went ahead, he was left with no other choice but to invade them both. Had just Ukraine (not even the whole Warsaw pact) remained neutral, we wouldn’t be an inch from ww3 like we are now in 2023. To add insult to injury, we’re supplying Ukraine and making Russia bleed for every kilometre of Ukraine they occupy. But it has nothing to do with our governments “just being so obsessed with democracy and freedom”. 😂 Americas biggest weapons customer and the largest military ally they have in the Middle East (Saudis) still execute people WITH A SEORD for like, adulterous or smoking marijuana. Or being a journalist critical of the royal family.. The US doesn’t give a shit about democracy or human rights. It’s only justification to commit horrible atrocities and to do business with the worst war criminals and whatever else they want to. So stop talking about Putin until we fix our own leaders!

[@_Abjuranax_]

The Military first laughed at the Mig-25, "It has exposed Rivets!" But the Engineers pointed out that where they were didn't affect Drag. "It has Tubes." Hmmm... take at least 2 precise hits to knock it out, and its EMP proof as well. " Its Radar is antiquated and way too large." What do you say, kill a rabbit at 3 miles? And it will push right through most of our Counter-measures. This thing was designed to fly through a Nuclear Battlefield and intercept our Bombers, at the lowest possible price, and it would have done its job with simplistic precision.

[@thefederalist9982]

Could kill a rabbit out to 300 yards. It was developed in response to the B-70 bomber.

[@timdillon4876]

Thing is the bad maneuverability meant it could not engage other interceptors very well and eventually if the west made an interceptor just fast enough or with weapons that could target it effectively then it would be in trouble. Still with its incredible speed it still would be a pain in the ass and could be used to targeted bombers or even important ground targets

[@Silver_Prussian]

It was a great aircraft, set the basics for what any interceptors needs and what they dont need. People dont het the fact that its not a multirole or a fighter but an interceptor and was designed as such. Its like laughing at a fire truck for being a fire truck and not a sports car.

[@Silver_Prussian]

​@@timdillon4876because at speeds of mach 2.8 at altitude of 80.000ft or higher you would be able to turn in no time and dogfight ? It had one of the best radars ever and there was no other interceptor that can catch it.

[@AlThompsonIII]

@@Silver_Prussian -- The MiG 31 Foxhound was basically and improved version f the legendary Foxbat. The 31 has wider wings to make is more stable at lower speeds. The speed of BOTH were set at mach-2.83, even though the Israelis allegedly clocked a MiG-25 Foxbat at mach-3.2. But at those speeds the engines had to be replaced often.

[@reubenmarchant2229]

I read his co-written book "MIG Pilot", fascinating.

[@Gunrunner4532]

It’s my understanding that we (The U.S.) put out a reward to any pilot who could deliver a Mig-25 to us, and the pilot would be protected diplomatically as well. This pilot reacted to that offer, I believe

[@whiteonggoy7009]

Yes that's true...mark Felton on KZbin explains payments

[@Ronaldo882.]

Absolutely true.

[@migmit]

Yes, because obviously a military pilot in the USSR would be aware of such a reward offered by the country that is officially recognized as the biggest enemy of his own one. Perhaps it would even pop up as an ad in his Google search.

[@wafu6058]

​@@migmitif you need a google ad to tell you any foreign aversary will pay, protect and go to any lengths for foreign bleeding edge technology my dude you are beyond dumb... He didnt need to know the offer was on the table to know he would be given all these anyways because it not only sends a message for future defectors, because the better you treat your prisoners of war, the better you will come out but also because you are benefitting incalculable amounts that whatever they paid him, would still not be anywhere near worth what they got from that plane and from him regarding soviet tactics

[@AlThompsonIII]

I knew Vik for years and know nothing about any payment(s). Belenko always said he was tired of how the Soviet top gun pilots are treated. A times they even had to pay for their own food - whereas here in America our top guns are treated like rock stars. He couldn't believe how much and variety of food we had at the grocery stores and much more.

[@migmit]

Actually, Belenko's trial in Japan was a formality. He did break certain laws and, therefore, had to stand trial. But it was prearranged with the judge that Belenko would be found guilty (as he was), but not given any punishment.

[@AlThompsonIII]

Vik was granted American citizenship in 1980, when I met thim in Long Beach, CA. We became friends for years.

[@ChiefKene]

I came across this because of about Mr.Belenko story and his first time seeing the grocery store. I stayed because I was absolutely fascinated by everything in this video. Excellent video , great quality. Definitely earned an active sub

[@WorldsTallestLeprechaun]

Years ago, I got a summer job cleaning villas/cabins at a very fancy resort in the north woods, and one day I found a book about Belenko, which was both an autobiography and a regular biography. (from Victor’s POV and stuff that wasn’t from his POV) and the things he revealed about life in Russia were pretty eye-opening for how shit everything was. The constant, intelligence-insulting lies that the people were basically forced to accept, the corruption and general incompetence, were crazy. One example stands out; he lived in a town where tanks were made, and had to help out when he was younger. (-ish. Like, a teenager I think) and the Foreman for the tank factory told all the employees “We make TRACTORS, do you hear me!? It doesn’t matter who asks you what we do, if it’s a family member or a friend, or even someone who claims to be from the party (government), you tell them we make TRACTORS, got it?” Belenko knew this was fucking stupid, because they had to park the “tractors” outside in plain view underneath tarps, which would be OBVIOUSLY tank-shaped what with the gun-barrel sticking out. And that’s only when they had enough tarps to cover them, otherwise they’d just park the finished tanks out in the open where everyone could see them. And yet they’d STILL have to lie and say “We only make tractors.”

[@Silver_Prussian]

Cause everything he says should be taken at face value.You know one of my favourite thing about defectors in general is their ability to awe the public with their over exaggerated ,,truths" which go from reality straight the realm of kys fantasy land. Now if you were to stop for a second and read about his personal life some things raise an eyebrows. Like why didnt he ever visit his child, why didnt he atleast divorce his wife before starting another relationship with another woman with whom he had two kids which he would latter divorce as well. Man this guy is so great its just that all the women around him s*ck, right ? Defectors are people who habe in interest but their own well being rarely do they have any morals guiding their actions. They are politically self made public stars whos main objective is to tell folks how nice the place they live in is and how everything outside of that place is just awful.

[@igortchernowitzer927]

Life in modern russia is still the same shit russians live on

[@AlThompsonIII]

@@Silver_Prussian -- After knowing Viktor Belenko (personally) for a number of years starting in 1980 in Long Beach, CA I got to know him and believe what he said. *I met Russian fighter pilot Viktor Belenko in 1980 in Long Beach, CA - met him through my Dad. Dad and Vik (and we) became good friends for years. Dad got Belenko on as a consultant in the aeronautics/aerospace industry here in Southern California in the late 1970s or so. He would visit Dad for a few days at a time at Dad's home in Texas on a few occasions during the 1980/90s and 2000s. --- I deleted a couple of paragraphs so-as-to-not to bore you... Our friend Viktor Belenko passed away last November 2023 in Ohio at age 76. Viktor Belenko was granted American citizenship in 1980 - during the Carter administration. Vik was a good man, led an interesting life, a great friend and passed away as a loyal American citizen. ~ Al Thompson III.

[@jaybartgis5148]

Could you imagine what they'd fucking do to him if Japan returned him to the USSR

[@Viviana_Meow]

"Trialed" him and shot him in the back of the head.

[@mudkingz6432]

@@Viviana_Meow they would have skipped the trial and moved directly to the execution!

[@alwaysdisputin9930]

They would've made an example out of him.

[@jasonsan6708]

He’d probably “disappear”

[@SincityRocker60]

Met Mr Bellenko around 1989- 90 in Cali. Heard the defection story.

[@AlThompsonIII]

* I met Russian fighter pilot Viktor Belenko in 1980 in Long Beach, CA - met him through my Dad. Dad and Vik (and we) became good friends for years. Dad got Belenko on as a consultant in the aeronautics/aerospace industry here in Southern California in the late 1970s or so. He would visit Dad for a few days at a time at Dad's home in Texas on a few occasions during the 1980/90s and 2000s. We talked about his mother country, the good people, life- in general, politics and drank good whiskey. Belenko had a great sense of humor. He remarried and later got divorced in the US. They had had 2 sons. I lost contact with Belenko for about 20-25 years. I searched periodically... with no success. However, I found out just a couple months ago during an obituary search (my last resort) that Belenko changed his last name to Schmidt for a time, and then changed it back to Belenko a few years ago. Mystery solved! Unfortunately, during my search via obituaries I ran across the newspaper article confirming the passing of our friend Viktor Belenko last November 2023 in Ohio at age 76. Viktor Belenko was granted American citizenship in 1980 - during the Carter administration. Vik was a good man, led an interesting life, a great friend and passed away as a loyal American citizen. ~ Al Thompson III.

[@AlThompsonIII]

PS. Belenko stated the MiG-25 Foxbat was fast, but had poor maneuverability and the engines had to be replace after 150 hours.

[@paulfrancis8836]

Victor probably still has a reward on his head to this day. The US Air Force could have used him.

[@TKA322]

The AF did, as Victor toured and spoke with our pilots.

[@AlThompsonIII]

Vik passed away last November 2023 in Ohio at 76.

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

Wow... Another interesting video house of history! Keep it up!

[@HoH]

More to come!

[@seph9980]

This could’ve dramatized thrillingly in a movie. C’mon, Japan, this is still very relevant. Make a movie out of it.

[@Full_Otto_Bismarck]

I think this incident did at least inspire the 1982 Clint Eastwood film, Firefox.

[@07_danishwistara29]

you know how the Japanese make those animes, could make an interesting anime

[@NinjaTaco__]

The MiG-25 is such a beatiful piece of engineering!

[@LooxJJ]

there are 2 sides of this story: After the loss of Foxbat's data to the US via this incident, the Soviet engineers now started to upgrade all Mig-25 to higher standard (Mig-31), however, they did NOT have any avionic or radar system that would improve system overall. Comes Iranian revolution of 1979, and F-14's data came to USSR on a silver plate. Yes, Mig-31's Zaslon BRLS/RP series radar was originally based on F-14's very own AWG-9 - also full data of AIM-54 Phoenix. However, another twist of story is that CIA managed attain all data of Mig-31 as well. By late 80's, USSR knew that US knew of Mig-31 by paying off one of defense contractors (along with other info related to NAS systems). Spy game is always intriguing.

[@barron8006]

Totally false, The Iranian Muslims killed all of their Leftists and hated the USSR. The Iranians still haven't figured out how to repair the 1970s radar. The orginal radar was a mechanically scanning set. The Mig 31 radar was a PESA radar, first to be put on a fighter.

[@talijamir5395]

Just imagine if it was during Stalin regime..

[@HistoriaenCeluloide]

I guess the enemy appreciates betrayal but despises the betrayer. Great story gentleman. Thank you for sharing it.

[@davidsmithson9236]

Now I need to read that book. Many thanks sir.

[@RaineMaven]

I was assigned to the Marine Corps' VMA-513 in Iwakuni, Japan when this happened, and recall everyone going on high alert upon Belenko's defection. The aircraft was almost immediately concealed into one of Hakotake's hangars by Japanese authorities, then subsequently deconstructed by Americans authorities, all while the Soviets continously screamed for its immediate return. The narrator's correct, this behemoth was filled with antiquated technology, with vacuum hoses throughout. Bottom line: the US was so convinced by Soviet propaganda it wound up already exceeding their technology by more than a quarter of a century. One other discovery was that although the Foxbat could exceed just over mach 3, the engine was essentially worthless after doing so. Its worth reading Belenko's "Mig Pilot," of which I purchased upon its initial release.

[@AlThompsonIII]

I knew Vik Belenko for years, after meeting him in 1980 in CA. You are right on ever word. Vik passed away last November 2023 in Ohio at age 76. He was a very interesting man and a good friend and became a loyal American in 1980.

[@RaineMaven]

Yeah, his was both a compelling and sad story. The Russian people are no different than any others around the world. They deserve to personally pursue their dreams, an opportunity to earn a decent living, and raise their children to accomplish anything they desire. Today, as under communisn, their government is the greatest impediment to their happiness.

[@mbathroom1]

Wow this is so amazing. One wrong moment anywhere and so many people would have died

[@matchesburn]

1:38 - "The United States was on the case in no time." ...I can imagine that U.S. officials were at Hakodate Airport before the engine exhaust on the MiG-25 was even cool to the touch.

[@הדרוורמס]

I think that a more interesting story would be about the Iraqi mig pilot who defected to Israel in 1967

[@HoH]

I hadn't heard about this before. Incredibly interesting, thank you for the great suggestion!

[@הדרוורמס]

@@HoH okay, I did a bit of research, first of all, he defected in 15/8/66, his name was Munir Radfa and he stole a mig 21, his motives were that he felt discriminated in the Iraqi air force for being Christian and that he opposed the air raids on Kurdish villages he had to perform. Some sources say that without the Israeli research done on the plane Israel might not have gained air superiority in the six day war . Maybe you could make a video about it?

[@kalebloshbough1899]

@@הדרוורמס Israel has America backing and God sooner muslim realize this the better we will all

[@matvei15]

Viktor was a good friend of my father's, also a defector. If anyone has information on Viktor's whereabouts, I'd love to reconnect the two.

[@thefederalist9982]

He lives in the northwestern part of the United States. That's all you are going to get.

[@lovablesnowman]

Nice try Vlad

[@kalebloshbough1899]

Best keep your commi ass off American soil if you value life

[@AlThompsonIII]

@@thefederalist9982 -- Vik passed away last November 2023 in OHIO. You can now dance all you want but Vik Belenko was a good friend and a good man.

[@The_Federalist76]

@@lovablesnowman Who is Vlad?

[@MrWtonckens]

I bet the Americans feared this aircraft and were eager to inspect the technological features at the same time. Legend has it that MiG's owned and flown by other countries than the Soviet Union were not as advanced as the MiG's flown by Soviet pilots.

[@dmmchugh3714]

And the USA carefully inspected the plane and returned it in many boxes to the Soviet Union. Needless to say, diplomatic relations were rather tense over this incident.

[@catlinferris5970]

What a story, imagine his other son and wife...

[@AlThompsonIII]

I feel bad for them. But that was Vik's decision. We became friends in 1980.

[@stevefreeland9255]

Well done!

[@GSXK4]

I bet his commanding officer evacuated his bowels when he learned Bolenko defected.

[@natebartels1444]

Supposedly also an Iranian F-14 pilot defected to the USSR after the Iranian Revolution with an F-14, also an Iranian Pilot defected with an F-14 to Iraq, during the Iran-Iraq War.

[@corporeidad]

¡Muy bueno! Puse "Victor Belenko" para saber qué había Sido de su vida (solo una noticia lejana para mí, de cuando era chico), y dí con este video.

[@Robertonnz]

I hope you are happy and living well.

[@tkmaniac5812]

Este episodio tiene que haber inspirado la novela Firefox de Craig Thomas y la posterior adaptación al cine en Firefox de 1984.

[@salsheikh4508]

Great Episode

[@HoH]

Thanks!

[@allgood6760]

Thanks I remember this 👍🇳🇿

[@verbm3353]

Dad went to grab some milk from Japan

[@IcemachineDk]

Great story, any defectors from west flew to the east?

[@DK-cr7hn]

That son of a bitch John McCain )) LOL

[@joby-wankenobinolan3428]

@@DK-cr7hn lmao 😂

[@alwaysdisputin9930]

"In 1987 a West German teenager Mathias Rust shocked the world, by flying through Soviet air defences to land a Cessna aeroplane in Red Square."

[@IcemachineDk]

@@alwaysdisputin9930 oh yes, but he didn't defect as I recall it. He was merly teasing the Russian military..;)

[@Tamburello_1994]

@8:02 I have a hardcover copy of the book "MiG-Pilot" and no where on it does it say "autobiography by..." as its attributed to one John Barron and him only, no names anywhere else -- It doesn't even say him and Belenko collaborated for that matter. I would love to know how / why Barron got access. The circumstances behind "MiG-Pilot" and how that came into being is just as shady as the defection itself. Someone should pull on that thread...

[@AlThompsonIII]

Belenko DID collaborate on his so-called auto-biography. I know --- Vik and I were friends since 1980. --- I watched Belenko sign MY copy of "MiG Pilot".

[@fantabuloussnuffaluffagus]

When the Soviets demanded the aircraft back, the Americans should of told them they could have it back as soon as the Soviets returned the 4 B29s they kept in 1945.

[@JClore1950]

He left his wife and son behind?! Wow! What a hero!

[@berko9608]

Viktor Belenko's wife was the daughter of a low-ranking communist official. She was a woman with big claims, initiated scandals with her husband, reproaching him with a low officer rank, lack of money, and difficult living conditions. In the summer of 1976, she filed for divorce. For a Soviet officer, this could be the end of his career. The son of Viktor Belenko, Dmitry, was always proud of his father and immediately after the collapse of the USSR, he was reunited with him.

[@robertsansone1680]

More than one defector thought that they could "bargain" their families out of the Soviet Union by promising to withhold secrets from the Americans. (Shevchenko the UN defector, the KGB agent (whos name I have forgotten) who defected out of Japan) None were successful as far as I know. I understand. Deserting ones family isn't exactly admirable.

[@zemlidrakona2915]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Defection is one thing, but leaving your wife and kid and then remarriage without even getting a divorce is probably even illegal.

[@dmmchugh3714]

@@robertsansone1680 the KGB agent defecting from assignment in Japan was Stanislav Levchenko. John Barron wrote about this defection in one of his books, but I wish I could hear more detail about how the actual departure from Japan was handled. They boarded a commercial flight to leave the country and apparently there were some difficulties.

[@robertsansone1680]

@@dmmchugh3714 Excellent. Thank You. I would like to read that book. I only read an article in the Readers Digest magazine about him. I need to go back to the Library. I used to hang out there. Thanks again.

[@John-oe5nb]

When I started reading "Mig PIlot" the story of Viktor Belenko and his defection I could not put it down. It goes into Russian life at that time and the reasons why he defected. I don't know if it is still in print, if it is I highly recommend it. I just checked, it is available.

[@RTD3]

That's still going on today in the US. Countless numbers of comrades from the Peoples Republic of California and New York are defecting to the Capitalist (and free) states in the southern US.

[@AlThompsonIII]

I understand why ---> I live in coastal SoCal (Californication). The socialist-Democrats have ruined CA ans NY ... and every large city in America.

[@magtulisbonvincent5978]

Why I am happy to hear this?

[@cy-one]

Because we usually empathize with people who seek, and achieve, freedom in one way or another.

[@Aeyekay0]

Is this the same video that you uploaded a couple of weeks ago, just with a real picture of the pilot instead the Daniel Craig lol

[@seanx476]

My father was the HICOMOP on record during that incident

[@toplak]

All those who believe Marxism and Communism is “awesome” should watch this😂

[@mauriceouellette7514]

Bonjour a vous du Canada Your right Toplak here at Montréal the communist are realy stong the majority of the red come from university political science dept. the young read the book das kapital karl marx after this kind of young had the brain burn by this book today in 2021 a lot Montrealer student had the burn burn

[@dominikstuchlik5856]

that is a bit manipulative statement, I do not say I am ok with commies, but on the other hand we can talk about many whistleblower cases like Kwiatkowski, Snowden, Assange, etc. Btw 3/4 of known whistleblowers and their defects in this list are from United States ;) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_whistleblowers

[@charliechan8063]

Dont ask what your government can do for yuu ask wat yuu can do for yuur country

[@YankeeCommie]

They always pretend that if it was done right millions of people wont die like all the other times its been done and dont bring up sweden its not communism

[@alwaysdisputin9930]

​@@YankeeCommie Those previous examples aren't representative of all types of communism. In USSR, the tyranny began with the populace not wanting high taxes & their land taken. They voted against the communists & so elections were banned & criticism silenced. Thus communism's a compassionate system that gives everyone free doctors & lawyers & education but doesn't work when it's imposed on a self-centred populace who don't like high taxes & their land taken. If everyone was compassionate it'd work

[@amm5905]

Carrying illegal fire arm, What happened in court Judge: was it a sidearm No sir Was it a machine-gun No your honor Was it a bazooka No sir So what the hell it was Mig25 fighter jet😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@fredd3.14]

those intro elgar strings were a good start.. but thanks for reading the wikipedia page i guess

[@WickedStyles]

I know this video is 3 years old but I'm just now seeing it.... Is no one going to acknowledge the fact that the newspaper shown at like 3:35 spelled Tokyo right once and wrong twice? lolol

[@kwilson5745]

Good job

[@JC-pu1ej]

Please do a story of Major Jesse Walton Wooldridge of the 38th Infantry regiment, 3rd Division (1880-1963).

[@WildBill-kf2pc]

What a great story. 🇺🇸

[@-KingGanon]

This got harder to find

[@BK-uf6qr]

Well told story.

[@alanstrong3295]

Job well done. Brezhy was not amused.

[@IcyMan143]

Japan: please don’t kill the messenger..

[@no_hyperbole_xone]

I have some great pics of Mig 25s from Tripoli.

[@abbeyjane1306]

Viktor said he knew he had been lied to about the Americans when he toured a U.S Aircraft Carrier.

[@AlThompsonIII]

I met Viktor Belenko in 1980 in Long Beach, CA through my Dad. Dad and Vik (and we) became good friends for years. Dad got Belenko on as a consultant in the aeronautics/aerospace industry here in Southern California in the late 1970s or so. Vik was amazed at how the Soviets said untrue things about America. He couldn''t believe the variety of food in the grocery markets... a small but important thing to him.

[@vitameat]

How about Alexander Zuyev flying a MiG-29 to Turkey...also wrote a great book about it.

[@Newdivide]

Belenko defection was mention in the anime film patlabor 2

[@michsky46]

John Barron? the book I mean. i red it when I was young

[@618hunting]

The guy actually lives in the area I’m from!

[@AlThompsonIII]

Vik passed away last November 20233 in OHIO. a age 76.

[@-C.S.R]

I read his book when I was in high school. It's such a crazy story! Not just the defection or leading up to it but when he was brought to America and he got to see how we lived it blew his mind! He thought it was all a lie at first, but the Americans were playing tricks on him but one day when he was sitting in a park just watching people he realized there was no way they could orchestrate all this and he couldn't believe it. I've been saying for years this should be a movie or turned into a miniseries!

[@AlThompsonIII]

You are right. Vik told me the same stuff.

[@madzen112]

Defections: A History

[@matchesburn]

Sadly, Viktor Belenko died on September 24, 2023.

[@veronika7736]

It's unfortunate this traitor lived such a long life.

[@matchesburn]

@@veronika7736 Cope and seethe.

[@AlThompsonIII]

I was told Vik passed away last November 2023 in Ohio at age 76. I knew Vik personally since 1980 and only found out of his passing during a newspaper search - We had lost contact for 20-25 years =- looked for him foor years.. I'll have to recheck the date. want to be accurate. Thanks for posting.

[@Chrizz06041980]

He shouldn't have been detected in case of his wife and son who he left with this behind. Only if their relationship was very bad and the son very young.

[@cyberblah]

I read his autobiography years ago. If I recall correctly his wife had left him because the Soviet air bases he was stationed at were ridiculously shitty places to live. He rarely saw her, and the only reason they weren't divorced was that the Soviet government made it very difficult.

[@Gunrunner4532]

@@cyberblah interesting! Thank you

[@cy-one]

Of course, that could be post-hoc rationalization. We won't know either way.

[@Newdivide]

Belenko has since died on Sept 2023

[@AlThompsonIII]

Vik was 76, died in Ohio,

[@motionplays3637]

could have been a plot to push the jets out of secrecy

[@John_.Cabell_.Breckinridge]

Viktor sadly died 2 months ago but his death was announced this month

[@veronika7736]

Sadly? It's rather unfortunate that he lived such a long life.

[@RlTrades44]

@@veronika7736mad commie hahahaga

[@AlThompsonIII]

You are right. Vik passed away last November 2023 in Ohio at age 76. -- * I met Russian fighter pilot Viktor Belenko in 1980 in Long Beach, CA through my Dad. Dad and Vik (and we) became good friends for years. Dad got Belenko on as a consultant in the aeronautics/aerospace industry here in Southern California in the late 1970s or so. He would visit Dad for a few days at a time at Dad's home in Texas on a few occasions during the 1980/90s and 2000s. We talked about his mother country, the good people, life- in general, politics and drank good whiskey. Belenko had a great sense of humor. I lost contact with Belenko for about 20-25 years. I searched periodically... with no success. However, I found out just a couple months ago during a search of newspapers (my last resort) that Belenko changed his last name to Schmidt for a time, and then changed it back to Belenko a few years ago. Mystery solved! Unfortunately, during my search via obituaries I ran across the newspaper article confirming the passing of our friend Viktor Belenko last November 2023 in Ohio at age 76. Viktor Belenko was granted American citizenship in 1980 - during the Carter administration. He ‘remarried’ and later got divorced in the US. They had had 2 sons. Vik was a good man, led an interesting life, a great friend and passed away as a loyal American citizen. ~ Al Thompson III. (Facebook - @AlThompsonIII).

[@sarbrevin5131]

@@veronika7736 living a long life is unfortunate?

[@BunkrMan]

'The Americans put new tires on the wheels and repaired the brakes of that plane, so that they could check the flight capabilities, and some of their experts found with astonishment that the rivets (threads) on the plane's paneling barely hold the paneling. Most of the pilots, at the Wright Patterson base, refused to sit at the controls of the plane, but after talking with the Russian pilot (with the help of a translator, because he did not know a single word of English), some of the pilots agreed to make a test flight.' But in spite of the severe defects found, the plane took off and reached a speed of Mach 3 and showed excellent maneuverability, which, given the poor quality of construction, was astonishing, that is, better than any American-made plane. Russian engineers have astonished their Western colleagues with their ingenuity and practicality. They developed a special technology for welding prochromic steel. Everything on it stands firmly. In the wings it has a technical miracle - a branched network of tubes that suck a turbulent layer of air from the wings through the porous plating. Tanks at high altitudes lose fuel through the walls due to the pressure difference, because they are porous in a vacuum. The MiG 25 has waxed canvas lined tanks. Simple and ingenious. They have 80 kg of silver in their engine to exchange heat. The American XB 70 Valkyrie was abandoned because they did not solve the engine cooling problem. When he landed in Japan, he was intercepted by two F4s, and he turned on the afterburner and disappeared into the blue sky 1000km/h faster than them!

[@Silver_Prussian]

Dont belives all of the utter crap of the ,,experts" yes the aircraft had rivets but on places that didnt effect its aerodynamics and they were holding pretty well if they didnt it would disintegrate before reaching the speed of sound. The quality of the construction has nothing wrong with it. It was made from a nickel-steel aloy so you can basically repair it with whatever you can find, thats called reliability. Equipment will brake and be broken by the enemy if you cant not repair quickly and cheap then its f*cking useless as it will never be able to keep up with the war effort. At the time the aircraft was developed it was hard to work on titanium and was quite expensive another reason why the alloy was used. And thats why the sr71 which was made out of titanium coming from the soviet union ironically, just as fast as it took off so did it land as fast, permanently, while the mig25 still flies to this day. The mig25 is a fantastic interceptor working miracles for its intended role.

[@BunkrMan]

@@Silver_Prussian I absolutely agree with you. This first part I stated is nothing but nonsense and US spin. The ingenuity of Russian engineers has always been something they've always been known for, and shamefully mocking it is, if nothing else, a lack of good taste.

[@AlThompsonIII]

Disagree. The MiG-25 Foxbat was fast, but not built for dogfights and engines needed replacement after afterburner was used 70-90 miles and had to be replace after only 150 hours. Belenko told me this himself in 1980. The XB-70 Valkyrie was abandoned because they found our Belenko's MiG-25 was low-tech (but fast). Instead, the U.S. turned their focus on STEALTH technology.

[@kaliss7192]

Now in 2021 we have Americans defecting to Russia lol. Show's how much we've fallen as a country.

[@cookiecrumb1018]

The suckiest part was the US never got the stole mig new Zealand had returned it after he landed so they wouldn't receive any problems the use enginers where pissed off

[@bigsmokeinlittlechina174]

Different event? The mig landed in Japan. Where us technician got to inspect the het.

[@chrisberlin1552]

I had respect for Belenko until i learned he abandoned his wife and son in the USSR.

[@willnailer2118]

Please I want to know more about the stallions that were stolen by the Germans from the Russians then stolen by the british from the Germans and then stolen back fro the british by the Russians. What a story that would be !!!

[@HoH]

I'll have a look, thanks for the suggestion!

[@willnailer2118]

@@HoH thanks mate

[@TheOneAndOnlyDon]

Interesting story, strangely I had never Heard about it until now. But Ido remember seeing a film when I was a kid, starred by Clint Eastwood about a pilot fleeing the Soviet Union on an advanced fighter jet, can't help thinking that movie was loosely inspired by Belennko's defection story.

[@henry_tsai]

It's Firefox, US sent a pilot to steal the fictional prototype of Mig25's successor. The movie is based on a novel of same name. I learnt about this defection through that novel. btw the novel has a sequel, the plot is a little bit hilarious though.

[@AlThompsonIII]

@@henry_tsai You are right.

[@AlThompsonIII]

I knew Vik Belenko personally (since 1980). Firefox was based on Belenko's defection.

[@imnotyourfriendbuddy1883]

the russian son is probably a KIA in a ditch somewhere in Ukraine. They are drafting men into their 60's because the young men left russia instead of fighting.

[@berko9608]

Message from the American pilot: "Happy to report as of 2020, Viktor Belenko is still alive in the U.S living a happy life with 2 new children as well as reuniting with his first after the collapse of the USSR."

[@AlThompsonIII]

@@berko9608 -- Vik died in Ohio or Illinois in November 2023.

[@berko9608]

@@AlThompsonIII Thanks, I know. Viktor Belenko died in September 2023. Only in November 2023 NYT published an obituary In Slavic languages, the word “mig” means a moment, an instant. In 1973, a Soviet science fiction film was released that contained a very expressive philosophical song: “There is only one MiG between the past and the future. This MiG is called a Life”. After Belenko's escape, this song took on a new meaning. Try to find this song at KZbin by context: “В честь подвига советского лётчика Виктора Беленко”.

[@berko9608]

"Russian son" Dmitry Belenko (born in January 1973) was reunited with his father shortly after the collapse of the USSR. Dmitry manages a bank branch.

[@berko9608]

Nobody has the right to accuse someone of betrayal when your borders to exit are closed and you are legally obliged to work for the state? Let us accuse the slave who escaped with an oar of betraying his own galley. When a person is reduced to the status of state property, he does not even run away, he finds a way to evacuation himself. Evacuattion from a juridical disaster zone. Никто не имеет права обвинять кого-либо в предательстве, когда у вас закрыты границы для выезда и вы по закону обязаны работать на государство? Обвиним раба, сбежавшего с веслом, в предательстве собственной галеры. Когда человека низводят до статуса государственной собственности, он даже не убегает, он сам находит способ эвакуации. Эвакуация из зоны правового бедствия.

[@joseluissalguero6478]

Fue un notición en su época y un desprestigionpara rusia de cuidado

[@ad70.93]

MiG25 is a F15 EAGLE NOW DAY.

[@bigsmokeinlittlechina174]

They don't even look the same lol

[@Advcrazy]

Rounor has it that was the most reliable Russian fighter jet ever built…after America reassembled it 😆

[@winternow2242]

Actually, the US had acquired a number of Russian migs by then, and found them quite reliable when used for evaluation in HAVE DRILL and DONUT.

[@AlThompsonIII]

Belenko told me they ere fast, but bad maneuverability and unreliable engines (after only 150 hours they had to be replaced).

[@aap9167]

Betrayed his country and left his family. Hero indeed 😂

[@Humanaut.]

It's interesting that landing in japan counts as "defecting to the *west*"

[@EagleTwo758]

I went to that base 6 yrs later with my USAF fighter unit it's on the Ruskie border

[@StarwarsFannick]

I would say the uk becoming a superpower.

[@RaZiNL]

Ihh pesawat kok hasil curian itu mau jadi pro atau noob ya?

[@tilsr2556]

he betrayted hiscountry. that is sad

[@اممحمد-ق4ت5ط]

Is the pilot still alive, or was he already killed by the Soviet agent after committing the act of treason?

[@berko9608]

Message from the American pilot: "Happy to report as of 2020, Viktor Belenko is still alive in the U.S living a happy life with 2 new children as well as reuniting with his first after the collapse of the USSR."

[@John_.Cabell_.Breckinridge]

Unfortunately 2 months ago Viktor died at a nursing home in Rosebud Illinois, the news was announced by his son only this month

[@berko9608]

@@John_.Cabell_.Breckinridge Thanks. I know. Rest in Peace, Colonel Belenko, non-formal Hero for my generation.

[@AlThompsonIII]

@@John_.Cabell_.Breckinridge -- I met Viktor Belenko in 1980 in Long Beach, CA through my Dad. Dad and Vik (and we) became good friends for years. Dad got Belenko on as a consultant in the aeronautics/aerospace industry here in Southern California in the late 1970s or so. I was saddened to learn of Vik's passing last November 2023. at age 76.

[@AlThompsonIII]

@@berko9608 Amen. Vik was a good man and a great American (since 1980).

[@CJM-rg5rt]

You had to end on his wife and kid withering away in Russia while he became rich and successful. Until the last sentence he was a hypothetical ubermensch.

[@berko9608]

@ C.J.M. 1997 Mrs. Belenko was the daughter of a low-ranking communist official. She was a woman of high ambition. She constantly initiated conflicts with her husband because of his low military rank, due to lack of money, due to poor living conditions in the Far East. In the summer of 1976 Mrs. Belenko filed for divorce. For a Soviet officer who dreamed of entering a military academy, the divorce meant the end of his career. Victor Belenko made the right decision. We admired his deed and continue to admire him. Immediately after the collapse of the USSR, Viktor's "Soviet" son was reunited with his father. Russians write comments on another KZbin channels: "I would also run away from such a wife."

[@AlThompsonIII]

@@berko9608 -- * I met Viktor Belenko in 1980 in Long Beach, CA through my Dad. Dad and Vik (and we) became good friends for years. Dad got Belenko on as a consultant in the aeronautics/aerospace industry here in Southern California in the late 1970s or so. He visited Dad for a few days at a time at Dad's home in Texas during the 1980/90s and 2000s. We talked about his mother country, the good people, life- in general, politics and drank good whiskey. Belenko had a great sense of humor. At the time (1980-81, etc.) he didn't want to talk about his family in Russia. I lost contact with Belenko for about 20-25 years. I searched periodically... with no success. However, I found out just a couple months ago during a search of newspapers (my last resort) that Belenko changed his last name to Schmidt for a time, and then changed it back to Belenko a few years ago. Mystery solved! Unfortunately, during my search via obituaries I ran across the newspaper article confirming the passing of our friend Viktor Belenko last November 2023 in Ohio at age 76. Viktor Belenko was granted American citizenship in 1980 - during the Carter administration. He ‘remarried’ and later got divorced in the US. They had had 2 sons. -- In spite of what Russian patriots think or say about Viktor Belenko -- Vik was a good man, led an interesting life, a great friend and passed away as a loyal American citizen. ~ Al Thompson III. (Facebook - @AlThompsonIII).

[@randomrazr]

wonder what the russian wife and son thinks now

[@DekkerDavis]

Foxfire movie

[@787maggie]

He betrayed his fellow pilots.Don't care what his excuses were. He knew he was worthless without the plane which was not his property so he is also a thief. He should never been allowed back. Traitor.

[@cy-one]

lol.

[@dannyisnow1004]

cry.

[@EagleTwo758]

FU787

[@AlThompsonIII]

He DEFECTED... didn't need to be "allowed back". He became an American citizen in 1980.

[@BlackWhiteEagle]

😮Waiting for Russian pilots defecting to NATO , lets do it!

[@tanksouth]

We have vays of getting our money.

[@TheKaMeLRo]

So it's kind of asshole to leave his wife and son.

[@phillyphilhouse79]

Nah. They were commies. So it’s all good. LoL

[@bachelbel]

Refugees now: Walk their way through Mexico. Refugees then: Fly a fighter jet into Japan airport.

[@hansgruber650]

He should have made provisions for his wife and son to visit outside the country first to Japan or somewhere to claim Asylum but to abandon them, less than honorable.

[@petebondurant58]

His wife and he were not happily married at the time. Her father was an industrial manager and party member, and she would have been well taken care of without him around.

[@chikokishi7030]

TECHNICALLY... He defected toward the east.