Gazinyr Hayryllin Pilot, Hero of Russia Date of Birth: 10.09.1961 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military Service
3. Civil Aviation Career
4. Kandahar Incident
5. Escape and Return to Russia
6. Recognition and Honors
7. Film Depiction

Early Life and Education

Gazinur Khairullin was born in the village of Staroe Drozhzhyanoye in the Drozhannovsky District of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. After completing his education, he enrolled in the military aviation school in Balashyov, Saratov Oblast.

Military Service

Upon graduating from aviation school, Khairullin joined the military transport aviation. From 1983 to 1987, he served as an assistant commander and later assumed the role of commander until 1992. During this time, he flew the Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft.

Civil Aviation Career

In 1994, Khairullin transitioned to civil aviation, where he held the positions of commander and co-pilot of various aircraft. In 2008, he became the general director of the Tatarstan Airlines, a position he held until 2009.

Kandahar Incident

Khairullin gained prominence as one of the pilots of the Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft that was captured near Kandahar by Taliban forces. The crew, led by Captain Vladimir Sharpatoy, was held captive for approximately a year. They endured harsh conditions, inadequate food, and limited water.

The aircraft was seized during a weapons transport mission for the Northern Alliance, an anti-Taliban group. Negotiations with Russia proved unsuccessful, as the Taliban refused to exchange the hostages for spare helicopter parts.

Escape and Return to Russia

During the captivity, the crew performed maintenance on the captured aircraft. This knowledge aided them in their eventual escape. On August 16, 1996, during a routine inspection, the pilots started the engines and flew away with the aircraft. Airport personnel were unable to prevent them, and the crew neutralized the guards on the plane. They returned to Russia via Iran.

Recognition and Honors

For their bravery, Khairullin and Sharpatoy were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation by presidential decree on August 22, 1996. The other crew members received the Order of Courage.

Film Depiction

The incident was depicted in the 2010 film "Kandahar" by Andrey Kavun. Vladimir Mashkov portrayed the role of the co-pilot, but in the film, his character was named Sergei. However, the film contains several historical inaccuracies and should not be considered a reliable historical source.