On the evening of March 8, 2025, chaos erupted on the outskirts of Yekaterinburg when local pilot Vyacheslav Chuvashov attacked two students with both physical violence and gunfire during what was intended to be a peaceful meeting about arranging helicopter flights.
This brutal incident began when 21-year-old Bakhtiyar and his friends sought to surprise their girlfriends with scenic helicopter rides for International Women27s Day. After scouring through advertising websites, they encountered Chuvashov, who promised discounted flights after the group left him positive reviews.
The situation took a dark turn when Chuvashov, upon seeing Bakhtiyar27s review, accused him of being complicit with scammers. He introduced himself as an investigator of the 12th department, initiating contact filled with threats and hostile overtures. Bakhtiyar recounted, "He began with insults and ended up threatening me. If I didn27t meet him, he said he would ruin my life. I agreed to meet him, thinking I could resolve the misunderstanding."
They arranged to meet at the private dacha community known as "Green Grove," with Bakhtiyar bringing along his friend, 19-year-old law student Stepan Arapov. Two other friends stayed behind as the duo walked toward the entrance of the dacha. Upon their arrival, Chuvashov opened the gates, brandishing what appeared to be a shotgun and immediately yelling for them to lie on the ground.
According to witnesses, he fired at least 15 shots, aiming over the students' heads and yelling for them to lay flat. Bakhtiyar explained how frightening the confrontation was, noting, "He was screaming, kicking me, and hitting me with the gun. He was clearly intoxicated."
The violence escalated as Chuvashov ordered Stepan to crawl on the ground, continuing his attack by physically assaulting both boys until Bakhtiyar managed to break free. While he ran to the car to call for help, he turned back to see Chuvashov pressing his gun against his friend27s head, with threats muffled by phone conversations Chuvashov was having throughout the altercation.
Bakhtiyar, desperate, got behind the wheel and attempted to rescue Stepan by plowing through the gates. "I hit him with my side mirror but was terrified for my friend. I achieved only temporary distraction; I needed to get out of there!"
After Bakhtiyar called emergency services, nearby residents heard the commotion, coming to Stepan's aid. Passersby intervened by taking the injured students to Hospital No. 24, where Stepan remained unconscious and was later diagnosed with severe traumatic brain injury.
Responding to rising public concern, the police classified the shooting, which stemmed from personal disputes and sickening threats, as serious, explaining Chuvashov was taken to the local police station but later released due to lack of immediate evidence. This decision sparked outrage among the victims, as they expressed doubts about whether the incident would be taken seriously.
Chuvashov, whose profession includes private pilot services, vehemently declared to police upon arrival he was merely acting to protect his property and reputation against the supposed "invasion" of Bakhtiyar and Stepan. He faced accusations of both armed assault and issuing death threats, yet he remained unfazed when rumors circulated he could have connections with law enforcement.
Bakhtiyar reflected on his trauma and fears. "This man not only tried to kill us but also displayed how easily someone could misuse their power. I remained on high alert; whether he actually had ties to the police or not, this incident will forever haunt me and my friends."
Although the initial police report failed to substantiate charges against Chuvashov, they later confirmed he wasn't affiliated with their department, which provoked intense public scrutiny. The police stated, "We will establish the details of the incident and take necessary actions once all parties have been accounted for."27
Both Bakhtiyar and Stepan are now understandably concerned about any potential cover-up surrounding such brutality. They fear the situation might fade from public memory, leading to no substantive consequences for Chuvashov27s actions.
Reflecting on the trauma of the events, Bakhtiyar said, "Living through this has changed how we perceive safety and justice. We trusted someone who presented himself as authority, only to face his wrath instead. We just wanted to surprise our girlfriends! Instead, our lives faced death on our way to what we considered harmless fun."
The case remains under investigation as community members demand accountability, pressured by their collective horror at the senseless violence stemming from what was merely intended as momentary misunderstandings gone tragically askew.