The 18th detached helicopter unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will increase its contingent to 250 people, and will get another four Mi-8 helicopters this year.

The press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported this with reference to the head of the task force, the chief of the Army Aviation of the Land Forces of the Ukrainian Army, Major-General Valentyn Pistriuha.

According to him, representatives of the UN Mission addressed Ukraine's leadership with a proposal to increase the number of Mi-8 helicopters, which are needed to carry personnel and cargo. Accordingly, there is a need to provide personnel to fly and service the helicopters, which will lead to an increase in the strength of the unit, he said.

The certification and rotation of Ukrainian peacekeepers in Congo is scheduled for June of this year, the Defense Ministry's press service reported.

As reported, on December 22, 2011, the Verkhovna Rada approved the president's decision to send Ukrainian peacekeepers as part of the UN mission to stabilize the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The document stipulated 200 Ukrainian troops. Ukraine has currently deployed 157 peacekeepers and four Mi-24 helicopters as part of the UN mission in Congo.