Aeroflot Flight 36075 (1986)

Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence Aeroflot Flight 36075, also referred to as the Tu-134 hijacking in Ufa (Russian: Захват Ту-134 в Уфе), was an aircraft hijacking executed by two defecting soldiers from the Internal Troops of the Soviet Union on September 20, 1986, at Ufa International Airport. Early that morning, three Internal Troops servicemen—Junior Sergeant Nikolai Matsnev, Private Sergei Yagmurdzhi, and Private Aleksandr Konoval—commandeered a taxi, killing two police officers during their escape. After fatally shooting the policemen, Konoval fled but was subsequently apprehended. Matsnev and Yagmurdzhi proceeded to the airport where they forcibly boarded a Tupolev Tu-134, taking hostage 81 individuals (76 passengers and 5 crew members). Immediately following the takeover, two hostages were shot dead. The hijackers demanded that the aircraft be flown to any foreign nation hostile to the Soviet Union, threatening further violence against the hostages. The Alpha Group from the KGB's 7th Directorate was deployed to resolve the crisis; after protracted negotiations, they stormed the plane. Matsnev was killed during the confrontation, while Yagmurdzhi sustained a leg injury. Flight attendants Elena Zhukovskaya and Susanna Zhabinets were instrumental in securing the release of all hostages by persuading both hijackers.

Background

The three perpetrators—20-year-old Junior Sergeant Nikolai Matsnev (born 1966), 19-year-old Private Sergei Yagmurdzhi (born 1967), and 19-year-old Private Aleksandr Konoval, were assigned to military unit 6520 of the Internal Troops under the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs, stationed in Ufa at a facility located on Karl Marx Street. They belonged to a specialized non-staff unit responsible for retaking aircraft from terrorists, which involved detailed study of various airplane models ranging from the An-12 to the Tu-134 and repeated drills focused on boarding planes and employing counter-terrorist tactics.

Prior to military service, Matsnev attended the Arkhangelsk Naval School; although his voyages were limited to training exercises, he frequently spoke with fellow soldiers about traveling abroad and encouraged thoughts of escape. Several months into training, he proposed an audacious plan: armed with contemporary small arms, they would hijack an airplane and compel pilots to fly it overseas, where they could seek refuge and live freely. Nevertheless, none of the conspirators had a definitive destination in mind. Their motivation stemmed from involvement in guarding prisoners from whom they illicitly acquired drugs; when their superiors discovered these activities, they feared punishment in a penal colony notorious for harsh treatment of former guards. Both Yagmurdzhi and Matsnev had consumed drugs during their service, with Matsnev being a long-term addict.

Only three other soldiers were privy to these plans: all six discussed their intentions openly in communal areas without attempting secrecy. Officers overhearing these conversations dismissed them as idle talk. Ultimately, Matsnev led a group of four conspirators comprising himself, Yagmurdzhi, Konoval, and Private Igor Fedotkin.

Hijacking a Taxi

During the night spanning September 19 to 20, 1986, Matsnev, Yagmurdzhi, and Konoval—who were on duty within the company—left their post without authorization. Utilizing keys in his possession, Matsnev gained access to the armory and seized an RPK-74 machine gun, an AK assault rifle, an SVD sniper rifle, along with 220 rounds of ammunition for these weapons. The unit's duty officer from the KGB of the Bashkir ASSR was alerted to the soldiers' unauthorized departure at 3:40 a.m. The trio exited through a canteen window before fleeing the base. They intercepted a taxi driven by Nikolai Bashkirtsev and, under threat, compelled him to drive toward Podymalovo, where their fourth accomplice, Igor Fedotkin, was stationed as a lookout. Fedotkin was tasked with retrieving an armored personnel carrier from the park, which was intended for use in reaching the airport. Initially, Fedotkin did not hesitate at the prospect of firing upon his comrades.

That evening saw heavy rainfall. Approaching the checkpoint on Ufa’s outskirts, Bashkirtsev persuaded the soldiers that their taxi would be stopped and they would be unable to pass; however, he suggested that traveling in a civilian vehicle might allow them to bypass controls. Consequently, the group opted to switch vehicles but soon spotted a UAZ-469 police patrol car belonging to the Leninsky District Department of Internal Affairs’ non-departmental security unit in Ufa. Believing they were being tailed, they opened fire on the stationary patrol car. The exchange resulted in the deaths of Sergeant Zulfir Akhtyamov and Junior Sergeant Airat Galeev, who were caught off guard. Approximately 60 bullets struck the vehicle. Authorities had dispatched the patrol in response to reports about three deserters fleeing.

Aleksandr Konoval, seated in the rear of the taxi, became so frightened that he fled immediately with an unloaded SVD rifle, abandoning his partners. He flagged down a passing KAMAZ truck and requested a ride to Podymalovo, explaining he had left without permission to meet a girlfriend. Subsequent information revealed that Fedotkin abandoned plans to steal the armored personnel carrier and did not wait for his comrades. Konoval unsuccessfully tried to convince Fedotkin to shoot him. Later, Konoval concealed himself inside a local resident’s home, claiming he was engaged in training exercises; however, soldiers soon surrounded the property. In an attempt to take his own life, Konoval stabbed himself in the chest with a bayonet but was rescued by medical personnel.

Hijacking of the Airplane

Prior to arriving at the airport, Matsnev and Yagmurdzhi abandoned their vehicle and concealed themselves within the surrounding forested areas. Their initial plan was to shoot Bashkirtsev, but he managed to persuade the deserters to spare his life by assuring them that his son would never serve in the Soviet Armed Forces. Immediately afterward, he ran to alert the police about the situation. Despite this, authorities did not dispatch a team to the airport; instead, they took the driver to meet with the head of the Ufa Ministry of Internal Affairs, inadvertently allowing the deserters time to prepare their hijacking. At 4:40, they arrived at Ufa International Airport, making their way onto the airfield while hiding in a ditch. The nearest aircraft was a Tu-134A from Boryspil Air Squadron, operated by Aeroflot (registration USSR-65877), conducting flight SU-36075 on the route Lvov - Kyiv - Ufa - Nizhnevartovsk, stopping in Ufa for refueling. Onboard were 81 individuals: 76 passengers—including eight women and six children—and five crew members. The majority of passengers were oil industry workers traveling to Nizhnevartovsk for shift changes. During refueling, passengers were directed to the waiting lounge. Ticket verification was performed by duty officer Lyudmila Safronova, while the crew included stewardesses Elena Zhukovskaya (Ganich) and Susanna Zhabinets (Kibarova), along with second pilot Vyacheslav Lutsenko.

Approximately ninety minutes before this, police had warned the airport about armed individuals approaching; however, despite this alert, boarding operations continued uninterrupted and access ramps remained in place. The Flight 36075 crew remained unaware of this warning. At 4:43, taking advantage of the flight engineer’s focus on removing engine plugs and wheel chocks, the deserters boarded Flight 36075. They forced the last passenger and duty officer Safronova into the aircraft cabin and slammed the door behind them. The flight engineer attempted to open the door after ascending the ramp but was pushed aside by a soldier’s boot. Initially, Safronova’s cries about armed men were dismissed as a prank; nevertheless, the plane’s captain ordered all doors locked and instructed everyone to remain seated, successfully pulling Vyacheslav Lutsenko into the cabin just in time.

Matsnev pointed a weapon at Susanna Zhabinets and commanded Zhukovskaya to relay their demands to the crew: take off within twenty minutes and fly to "any nation hostile to the Soviet Union" (their original destination was Pakistan). He threatened to kill Zhabinets if they refused. About twenty minutes later, gunfire erupted inside the cabin. Yagmurdzhi fired at passenger Alexander Ermoolenko, an assembler from Zapsibneftegeofizika department traveling to Nizhnevartovsk for his shift; Ermoolenko was a large man with a criminal background who confronted the soldier aggressively. Matsnev mistakenly believed someone was shooting at his accomplice and responded with a burst from his machine gun: one woman shielding a child sustained a shoulder wound from stray bullets; passenger Yaroslav Tikhansky, an electrician from Ukrnafta drilling department working shifts, suffered fatal injuries; and Ermoolenko was also struck by gunfire.

Rescue of Hostages

Ground personnel were taken aback upon learning about the aircraft hijacking. All staff involved in the Operation Alarm protocol were promptly alerted, and shortly thereafter, Alpha Group from the Seventh Directorate of the KGB arrived at Ufa airport. The hostage rescue mission was directed by Gennady Zaitsev, commander of Alpha Group, who organized specialized teams for capture, support, surveillance, perimeter control, and sniping, all of which swiftly took their assigned positions. A provisional command center was established inside the airport terminal under the leadership of Vadim Mishchenko, head of the KGB in the Bashkir ASSR; this center maintained continuous communication with Moscow throughout the entire operation.

Since Matsnev and Yagmurzhi had experience serving in a freelance anti-terrorist unit, they possessed detailed knowledge of the aircraft layout and potential access points that rescuers might utilize. This significantly complicated Alpha Group’s efforts. Additionally, there were unconfirmed reports suggesting a sniper providing cover near the airfield, though no such individual was ultimately located. Alpha operatives assessed that an assault could only be successfully launched from either the rear or the cockpit area of the plane; however, both hijackers were well aware of this tactical limitation. Armed with military-grade weapons, the only viable strategy to neutralize them involved immediate lethal force; otherwise, the hijackers threatened to kill all passengers. Meanwhile, Yagmurzhi and Matsnev demanded that crew members surrender their service firearms; after consulting their superiors, pilots relinquished one pistol without ammunition but retained another sidearm (the hijackers remained unaware of how many weapons were held by the crew). Passengers were prohibited from using the lavatories, though flight attendants were permitted to move freely within the cabin.

Over the subsequent hours, flight attendants succeeded in convincing Yagmurzhi and Matsnev to permit removal of Ermoolenko’s deceased body from the aircraft and to release all injured individuals along with four additional women accompanied by children (this occurred around 6:20). Elena Zhukovskaya carried Ermoolenko’s body up the stairs since the hijackers feared exposure to potential sniper fire outside. She also transported Tikhansky, who was bleeding heavily; although instructed not to descend by the hijackers, she insisted that Tikhansky could not walk unaided and had to firmly assert herself with Yagmurzhi. Medical personnel hesitated to approach the stairs to assist Tikhansky immediately, causing delays; tragically, he succumbed en route to the hospital in an ambulance.

As time progressed, Nikolai Matsnev grew increasingly hostile and agitated while Sergei Yagmurdzhi appeared to lapse into a stupor. Elena proposed that releasing some hostages might expedite departure from the airport; around 7:50, Matsnev consented to free 46 hostages—primarily women, children, and elderly individuals—while retaining 20 men onboard. The remaining hostages were arranged so that all remained within direct sight of the hijackers. Meanwhile, Alpha Group operatives disguised themselves in civilian clothing obtained from passengers' carry-on bags. Anticipating possible counteractions by Alpha soldiers, the hijackers secured emergency exits and taped over the peephole on the cockpit door (one flight attendant covertly removed this tape). During this period, the aircraft commander maintained radio contact with ground control to relay ongoing developments aboard; eyewitnesses noted his voice trembled under pressure.

Preparing for the assault

The aircraft was encircled by personnel from the police, military, and KGB, leaving the airfield itself completely deserted. However, numerous passengers from other flights gathered behind the perimeter fence to observe the unfolding situation. Members of Group A advanced through the airport terminal toward a predetermined room. Reserve lieutenant colonel Yevgeny Isakov, who took part in the operation, recalled that the operatives explored every possible method of employing weapons and equipment, including explosives. At approximately 10 a.m., lieutenant colonel Anatoly Kotsaga of the Bashkir ASSR KGB—formerly an aviation engineer and Ufa airport employee—boarded the plane under the guise of being airport staff. Although he nearly risked exposure by neglecting to coat his hands with machine oil, Matsnev, who had aimed a firearm at him, overlooked this odd detail. Kotsaga was the first to recognize that Matsnev appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

Elena Zhukovskaya informed both hijackers that their demand to divert the plane to a nation hostile to the Soviet Union had been accepted by authorities on the ground. Kotsaga added that gunfire had punctured the aircraft’s skin, compromising its airtight seal; combined with loud noises—actually caused by crew members shaking the rudders—the damage necessitated repairs estimated to take no less than 12 hours. To ensure the hijackers overheard, Kotsaga deliberately reported to command headquarters in a loud voice that takeoff was impossible. Zhukovskaya proposed relocating them to another plane, but Yagmurdzhi and Matsnev insisted on repairing and flying on their current aircraft, threatening to open fire on passengers if their demands were not met. According to Isakov, throughout the day, the hijackers repeatedly requested cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs—requests which were granted. Kotsaga relayed threats made by both men back to ground control and observed their uncertainty about how to proceed. Gennady Sofronov, husband of Lyudmila Sofronova and assigned as a technician on the flight, participated by walking along the wing’s fuselage multiple times to convince the hijackers that repairs were underway.

Direct negotiations with the criminals were conducted by Zaitsev. To encourage surrender, officers presented a tape recording of Sergei Yagmurdzhi’s mother pleading for her son to regain composure. The former commander of Yagmurdzhi and Matsnev’s military company also acted as a negotiator, helping extend talks until 2 p.m. Initially adamant about having all their demands fulfilled, under the influence of drugs they later altered their stance—acknowledging that no one would permit takeoff—and declared their intent to commit suicide, informing their company commander accordingly. Meanwhile, Alpha Group finalized plans for storming the aircraft after rehearsing on an adjacent plane; however, operatives recognized that passenger casualties could occur regardless of how events unfolded. The decision to initiate an assault rested with the prosecutor of Bashkir ASSR, who deliberated extensively due to concerns that an attack might provoke the hijackers into shooting those still inside. Ultimately, he authorized the operation. The assault team was led by Viktor Zorkin.

Drugs on board

The circumstances shifted unexpectedly when Yagmurdzhi and Matsnev insisted on receiving drugs while still on the aircraft. Matsnev requested that “twenty ampoules, needles, and all other necessary items — alcohol, a tourniquet, cotton wool” be readied, while Yagmurdzhi additionally asked for a guitar to accompany himself. The former commander of their unit was tasked with delivering these supplies. Upon learning of their demands, the Alpha Group operatives provided a potent sleeping pill alongside the requested drugs. Around 15:30, the items were brought on board; the soldiers instructed the flight attendants to wait until both perpetrators were deceased before engaging with ground personnel. Elena Zhukovskaya later recalled that no more than ten packets were delivered—a quantity far too small to be fatal for both men. Yagmurdzhi consumed three ampoules and immediately lost consciousness, whereas the experienced drug user Matsnev refused to take any but also fell asleep shortly thereafter.

Seizing the opportunity while both men were unconscious, flight attendant Elena Zhukovskaya removed the machine gun from Yagmurdzhi’s lap and transported it to the cockpit, waiting approximately three minutes for pilot response. Meanwhile, both flight attendants wrapped a machine gun around Matsnev’s neck using passengers’ jackets, anticipating that he would be incapacitated longer and unable to fire. They informed the special forces on duty that the deserters were asleep and could be apprehended; however, no storming order was issued at that time. At about 16:30, Sergei collapsed and awakened Nikolai Matsnev, but Elena quickly prevented him from regaining composure by immediately offering him the remaining ampoules—some accounts suggest she secretly mixed ammonia into these. Matsnev swallowed all the ampoules in one gulp, began wandering through the cabin, and soon started vomiting. Following further persuasion by Zhukovskaya, Matsnev consented to release all remaining hostages and commanded a ladder to be positioned at the front door of the first cabin, enabling passengers and both flight attendants to disembark. None sustained injuries during this process. Simultaneously, part of Zorkin’s capture team unloaded the rear luggage compartment and accessed the rear cabin through the tail of the plane, extracting both flight attendants and securing positions at the aircraft’s rear.

Assault

Once all passengers had exited and the cabin door was firmly closed, Matsnev regained awareness and noticed he no longer had access to a machine gun. After rousing a drowsy Yagmurdzhi, he attempted to force open the cabin door using his weapon’s butt while threatening to shoot all hostages—raising concerns that both criminals might open fire inside. At this critical juncture, operatives commenced their assault after receiving authorization to neutralize the perpetrators if they engaged in gunfire. To ensure swift and silent entry into the cabin, all fighters proceeded without body armor. This approach was proposed during training exercises by Sergei Kolomeets; operative Alexander Starikov demonstrated through practical trials that rapid disarmament was achievable despite inherent risks of fatal injury if shot.

Several operatives who entered the cockpit via its window suggested crew members exit similarly; however, Safronova was unable due to her build, and pilots refused to leave her behind. Leaving them in place, operatives stormed into the first cabin where Matsnev and Yagmurdzhi were concealed. Prior to this, Lyudmila Safronova had been moved to a secure location shielded by a briefcase containing a metal logbook. Zorkin’s team operating from behind deployed two flash-bang grenades into the second cabin to divert Matsnev’s attention as fighters emerging from the cockpit opened fire on him. During the ensuing firefight, Matsnev managed several shots from his machine gun but missed as return fire struck the ceiling; he was ultimately killed by bullets to his head and torso. Yagmurdzhi attempted to seize his fallen accomplice’s weapon but sustained a leg wound requiring amputation to save his life. The entire confrontation with Matsnev and Yagmurdzhi lasted roughly six seconds, concluding an operation that spanned over fourteen and a half hours from initial alert until resolution.

Consequences

A total of six individuals faced trial: Aleksandr Konoval, Sergei Yagmurdzhi, and four additional soldiers (among them Fedotkin), all charged with concealing the crime. On May 22, 1987, a military court found Sergei Yagmurdzhi guilty and sentenced him to death by firing squad. This sentence was executed on June 1, 1988. Throughout the trial, Yagmurdzhi denied any wrongdoing and showed no remorse, expressing only regret that he had not completed the hijacking attempt. On the same day, Konoval was convicted under several articles of the RSFSR Criminal Code—such as attempted aircraft hijacking, vehicle theft, illegal narcotics possession, and encouraging drug use—and received a 10-year prison sentence with property confiscation, to be served in a penal colony. He was incarcerated in the Perm-35 penal colony until his release under the amnesty declared by Russian President Boris Yeltsin on February 7, 1992. Subsequently, Konoval secured employment, married, and became a father to two children. Fedotkin, responsible for guarding the warehouses, along with three others accused of hiding the crime, received prison terms ranging from two to six years. The Supreme Court of the Soviet Union upheld these rulings. Following this incident, General Ivan Yakovlev, commander-in-chief of the Internal Troops, was compelled to resign.

The critical contribution to saving the passengers’ lives was made by flight attendants Elena Zhukovskaya and Susanna Zhabinets. According to Alpha Group veteran Nikolai Kalitkin, they accomplished "90% of all the work" involved in securing the hostages’ safety. Both were honored with the Order of the Red Banner. It later emerged that Zhukovskaya was pregnant during the Tu-134 incident. Gennady Safronov, who remained on duty aboard the plane until the conclusion of operations, received the Order of the Badge of Honor; his wife Lyudmila was awarded the Medal "For Labour Valour" in a ceremony held privately at the Soviet Ministry of Civil Aviation due to ongoing investigations and confidentiality surrounding the case. Anatoly Kotsaga was also decorated with the Order of the Red Banner. Police officers Airat Galeev and Zalfir Akhtyamova, who lost their lives during the pursuit, were posthumously awarded the Order of the Red Star: Galeev was laid to rest in Balyshly village within Blagovarsky District, while Akhtyamova was buried in Kushnarenkovsky District. Each year, commemorative events are held at their gravesites with participation from Rosgvardia personnel.

Simultaneously, a criminal investigation was initiated against Viktor Blinov—who shot Matsnev and wounded Yagmurdzhi—and who also collected weapons from the perpetrators to hand over to command authorities amid claims that firing combat weapons was permitted only under extreme circumstances. After thoroughly examining all aspects of the case, investigators closed it, concluding that at that moment Alpha Group operatives were fully authorized to discharge their firearms; this authorization had been granted by the prosecutor of Bashkir ASSR.

The hijacking episode and subsequent hostage rescue are chronicled in the documentary "Crew," directed by Boris Fyodorov as part of Leonid Kanevsky’s series "Investigation Led." Production commenced in winter 2009 with interviews involving those directly involved in the events; in May 2010, reenactments were filmed at Ufa Airport. The NTV production team received comprehensive support throughout filming.

Bibliography

• Boltunov, Mikhail Efimovich (1992). “Alpha” — The KGB’s Ultra-Secret Unit. Moscow: Kedr. ISBN 5-7037-0257-7.
• Isakov, Evgeny Ivanovich (2000). "Surgical Approach". Russian Special Forces. 50 (11). Archived from the original on 2011-10-30.
• Komissarova, Anna (2020-09-13). ""Either Abroad or Dead"". Lenta. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
• "Hijacking at Ufa Airport: The Full Account". Mediacorset. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2021-10-24.