>>19078
It is actually a true Mi-24, only front side is different. Both pilots sit like in later versions, one beside other.

Versions A and B had this type of cabin, unofficially called "veranda" (terrace) or even "stakan" (drinking glass). On next versions designers decided to do some modifications, like making pilot seats isolated with different position to make better view and do some balance tricks. They also moved tail rotor to other side and changed armament.

Also people rarely know that Mi-24 has small troop compartment, mostly for emergency reasons.

>>19078
>put armament on a MI-8

Military Mi-8 are often armed, there even a special versions for this. Soviet/Russian aviation had no direct analogue of American "air cavalry" tech with light support helis, so they had no choice but to arm relatively heavy transport Mi-8.