Matthias Rust Landed his Plane on Red Square
Ten minutes after landing the amateur pilot, a 19-year-old citizen of Germany Mathias Rust, was arrested.
As it emerged later, the Rust’s plane crossed the air border of the Soviet Union at the height of 600 meters above the Gulf of Finland. He appeared on Soviet Air Defence (PVO) radar, all air defences were brought to readiness and an interceptor was sent to investigate – it quickly spotted the intruder. But the air forces were not allowed to shoot down the plane, as the USSR laws did not allow engaging fire on civilians and sport aircraft.
As a result of these events, Defence Minister Sergei Sokolov and about 300 officers lost their offices. Red Square was jokingly referred to by Muscovites as Airport Sheremetyevo-3.
On September 4, 1987 Rust was sentenced to four years in a labour camp for breaching the Soviet air border, disregard of aviation laws and hooliganism.
Having spent in pre-trial detention and prison for a total of 432 days, on August 3, 1988 he was pardoned and sent home. Rust told the court that his mission was to call for peace.
