KABUL: Afghanistan's Taliban-led government said it will speak with American officials about the fate of the Mi-17 helicopters that were destined for Kabul but instead went to Ukraine.

According to media reports, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid stated that the Islamic Emirate will talk with US officials about the 16 Mi-17 helicopters and 17 other military items that the US had designated for Afghanistan but were instead transferred to Ukraine. 

"First and foremost, the traitors are those who departed Afghanistan with these helicopters. Second, we're discussing their fate with the Americans and the countries where our helicopters are stationed. We're attempting to return Afghanistan's property to the country "Mujahid was said to have said.

The Department of Defense (DOD) notified Congress on January 19 that it intended to transfer five US-procured former Afghan Mi-17 helicopters that had been undergoing maintenance in Ukraine to the Kiev government, according to the US government's Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).
On March 11, Ukraine accepted these aircraft.

In a recent report, SIGAR stated that "US President Joe Biden unveiled a military assistance package to Ukraine in mid-April that included an additional 11 Mi-17 helicopters that had been scheduled for Afghanistan."

Taliban rulers' new decree: 'women should be covered from head to toe'

Kabul: Explosion at Sunni mosque during Jumei prayers, 30 killed in two explosions

Afghan women's team played football match for the first time in Australia