Fyodor Konyukhov and Ivan Menyailo began their transcontinental flight in a thermal balloon

The legendary traveler Fyodor Konyukhov and the president of the Federation of Aeronautical Sports of Russia Ivan Menyailo began their transcontinental flight in a thermal balloon.

The start of the historical expedition took place on March 24 at 5: 15 from a site near Kirovsk, Murmansk region

To set two world records at once – for the range and duration of the flight – the pilots will fly about 60 hours and cover a distance of 2,500 thousand km (the current record is 2,360 km).

Especially for this historic expedition, a PhosAgro thermal balloon with a shell volume of 12 thousand cubic meters was made in Russia – the largest created in our country in the entire history of domestic aeronautics.

Traveler, Orthodox priest Fyodor Konyukhov: "The tasks we face are ambitious – to break two world records at once. But I am sure that with the support of our friends from PhosAgro, we will be able to do this task. We dedicate our expedition to the movement "DROZD – Education, health and spirituality for the Children of Russia", which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. This is a unique project. It unites thousands of children in the regions, gives them a way into life. After all, this flight itself is the idea of one of their same boys! I want to say a huge thank you to him! Let him see: if everyone gets down to business together, a big and friendly team, you can achieve any goal. Solve any problem, the most difficult. You just need to believe in yourself, in your friends, in your country, and everything will work out, with God's help. And the dream will turn into a result, into a big victory!"

Governor of the Murmansk region Andrey Chibis: "A trip around the world, a visit to the pole of the Earth or a new world record – it seems that nothing is impossible for Fyodor Konyukhov. But most importantly, all these goals are not for show, but in the name of science. Real scientific patriotism. Fyodor Filippovich plans to dedicate his new world record to children. Thereby setting an example for young people and involving them in science. I wish pilots Fyodor Konyukhov and Ivan Menyailo a fair wind and excellent weather. Let the goals of the expedition be achieved. Go for the record!"

"The eminent traveler, researcher, and in many ways pioneer Fyodor Konyukhov has a lot to do with the Murmansk region. Our region has more than once become the starting point of his daring expeditions and more than once met Fyodor Filippovich at the end of his travels. Another historic start took place in Kirovsk today! On behalf of the head of the region and on behalf of all northerners, I wish the team a fair wind and a successful completion of the expedition!", Deputy Governor Elena Diaghilev addressed the brave crew of the balloon.

Mikhail Rybnikov, CEO of PJSC PhosAgro: "Fyodor Konyukhov's numerous sports records, including those included in the Guinness Book of Records, are a national treasure. They attract the attention of the whole world to Russia, introduce it to its unique natural and human potential. But what is even more important – they set the right life reference point for young people, become a real guiding star. Therefore, we are especially grateful to Fyodor Filippovich for dedicating his transcontinental flight to the 20th anniversary of the DROZD.

The whole country will be following the progress of the expedition in the coming days. And among them – with special attention and excitement – more than 50 thousand young thrushes, who do not doubt for a second that everything will definitely work out for our heroes!"

It was not by chance that Kirovsk was chosen by Fyodor Konyukhov and Ivan Menyailo as the launch pad of the expedition. It was here that DROZD, now an All-Russian movement, was founded by the vice-president of the Russian Union of Chemists, a master of sports of international class in judo, Honored coach of Russia Andrey Grigorievich Guryev.

The project is aimed at a harmonious combination of sports and wellness programs and a traditional school course, the development of additional education and creativity, the popularization of a healthy lifestyle, moral and patriotic education, as well as the intellectual development of children.

On the eve of the start of the expedition, pupils of the DROZD-Khibiny center, a regional traffic operator in the Murmansk Region, took part in the grand opening of the Fyodor Konyukhov art exhibition "My Way", as well as a meeting with a traveler. Young Drozdyats from Kirovsk came to see Fyodor Konyukhov off on a record flight. The guys wished the famous traveler a clear sky and a fair wind, overcoming all difficulties and a soft landing.

During the entire flight, Nairi Barseghyan, Commissioner of the International Aviation Sports Federation, will fix its trajectory and monitor compliance with the requirements for applicants for a world record. He will also record the landing of the balloon, as well as possible world records. Fyodor Konyukhov and Ivan Menyailo named the Yenisei River basin as the most likely place for the balloon to land and complete the expedition.

Source: Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region according to the press service of PhosAgro