When one thinks of Russian helicopters, one generally thinks of the Mil Mi-24 'Hind'. It was designed to replace the Mi-8 for both attack and assualt missions combining both roles into the same airframe, the result was a menacing, lumbering helicopter capable of carrying 8 fully-equipped troops and a virtual flying tank bristling with weapons such as rocket pods and anti-tank missiles on two massive stub wings and with an armor-protected fuselage. It was also remarkably fast for its size, a result of Soviet recognition of speed and protection as necesities for battlefield survival. Nicknamed the 'Devil's Chariot', the Mi-24 quickly made a name for itself during the Afghanistan War where it established a fearsome reputation which led the Mujahideen to proclaim 'we do not fear the Soviets, we fear their helicopters'. They also saw extensive action in the Iran-Iraq War, the Balkan Wars and Chechnya. Although hundreds were eventually deployed to Central Europe against NATO, the assault gunship concept has since been replaced by more conventional dedicated attack platforms such as the Mi-28 and Ka-50 although it will be quite some time before either enters service in large numbers. Export destinations included most former Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet client states for an impressive total of over 50 countries worldwide.

The prototype V-24 first flew on 19 September 1969, followed by full-scale production the following year and service entry in 1973 as the Mi-24 'Hind-A' (a pre-production version was known as the 'Hind-B' while a trainer version lacking weapons rails was the 'Hind-C'. These initial variants were notable in having a glass cockpit which offered poor visibility and protection to its pilots, a situation that did not go unnoticed and led to the redesigned Mi-24D 'Hind-D', the first version with a stepped cockpit and specific anti-tank capabilities although retaining the central and real fuselage of the 'Hind-A'. armor was significantly increased in addition to the incorporation of new avionics including undernose sensor packs and warning systems (a training version was designated Mi-24DU). Further development led to the Mi-24V 'Hind-E' which is generally similar to its predecessor except for revised wingtip rails capably of carrying AT-6 anti-tank missiles and an enlarged sensor pod. Finally, the Mi-24P 'Hind-F' replaced the earlier 12.7-mm gun with a side-mounted 30-mm cannon. Both of these are to be eventually upgraded to Mi-24VM and Mi-24PM standards with night-time capability and new weapon loads. These later versions can also carry anti-air missiles for close air support. Other variants of the Hind include the Mi-24R radiantion samplers and Mi-24K artillery spotters while export versions are known as the the Mi-25, Mi-35, and Mi-35P which correspond with the Mi-24D, -24V, and -24P respectively.