In June, Nikolai Rudenko faced a troubling sequence on two Ural Airlines flights when his electric wheelchair sustained damage. The incidents drew attention after coverage on the E1.ru portal.
Rudenko, who spoke with the publication, explained that he stored the wheelchair in the aircraft’s cargo hold during a Moscow to Sochi round trip. After the first leg, the cables inside the chair were damaged, and on the return journey the metal frame bent. He recalls feeling helpless as the issue unfolded.
As reported by E1.ru, Rudenko is 39 years old and has spent two decades with a wheelchair due to a genetic condition that weakens muscle tone, spinal muscular atrophy. He now works for a large Russian firm, participates in Paralympic bocce, and enjoys traveling. Previously, the stroller had always come back from flights intact.
Rudenko states that on the first interaction with airline staff they asked to set the stroller aside and avoid loading any part of it. My wife and I asked not to remove the battery or reinstall it without us, since certain components required careful handling, he noted. When they reached Sochi, they discovered the battery had been installed incorrectly. The cables in the stroller were compromised, the engine rattled, and the right wheel sustained damage.
The passenger filed a report about the trunk damage. At the time, the stroller could be repaired, but the situation worsened on the way home. He described being moved from the plane to a wheelchair in a way that left the interior torn and shaken, with a bent frame. He felt that his mobility had been compromised and was told the luggage load was heavy on the aircraft, according to Rudenko.
Nikolai has already submitted a claim to the airline requesting compensation for a new electric wheelchair, originally provided by the Social Insurance Fund. The delivery timeline shows a replacement only in five years, leaving him unable to leave home. Due to his illness, he cannot use a standard stroller since his arms are too weak to turn the wheels. He warned of legal action, though he cannot even attend court without a functioning chair.
Airline met halfway
The E1.RU report notes that editors reached out to Ural Airlines’ press service. In response, the carrier pledged to compensate the passenger. A company representative told reporters that they were in talks about the compensation process and payment amount.
The carrier reportedly became more cautious after media attention. Ren-TV cited representatives who asked for additional documents. The airline indicated that the strollers of that type are no longer produced and that an alternative model was offered. An invoice was sent, and the airline awaited a response, with Rudenko indicating a desire for swifter resolution. He also pointed out that the stroller had been broken and that delays in addressing the issue were possible.
The matter reached the attention of law enforcement. The Sverdlovsk Transport Prosecutor’s Office announced on Telegram that supervisory measures would assess the airline’s handling of passenger mobility and luggage, and ensure compliance with consumer protection rules during travel by persons with reduced mobility.
Two notable events for Ural Airlines
There were two other incidents involving Ural Airlines that attracted attention but resulted in limited injuries. A September 12, 2023 event saw an Airbus A320 make an emergency landing in a field in the Ubinsky district of the Novosibirsk region. With 161 people aboard, including 23 children, there were no fatalities. The crew diverted due to a hydraulic system issue but ran low on fuel before reaching a suitable airport, and the investigation is ongoing.
Earlier, on August 15, 2019, an Airbus A321-211 experienced a hard landing four kilometers from Zhukovsky airport after a collision with birds. All 233 people on board survived, though 74 suffered injuries of varying severity. The incident prompted honors for the crew and flight attendants on subsequent days, while the final report highlighted pilot stress, several human errors, and organizational gaps noted by the investigation commission.