Russia continues with its dishonorable war in Ukraine. On the ground we have already seen Russian “green men” without any identification, as well as tanks and other armored vehicles with removed hull numbers, and vehicles without license plates. Now we see the same in the air.

On the photo above you can see a transport Mil Mi-8AMTSh helicopter (an armed assault variant of Russian Mil Mi-8) situated somewhere in the fields of the Rostov region. The helicopter has its hull number and identification mark (a star) painted over. However, the star still can be seen — the painters could have done a better job. Of course, one cannot be absolutely certain as to why the markings of the helicopter have been removed, but we believe it is highly likely this helicopter is to fly to Ukraine to support the Russian troops operating in Donbas.

The first photo shows the helicopter in the Myasnikovsky District of the Rostov region, the second one has geolocation information, the third photo is thematic and shows what a standard Mil Mi-8AMTSh with the identification mark and hull number looks like.

Also pay attention to the soldier on the second photo: he is dressed in the “Flora” Russian uniform of old style. This is unlikely to be a coincidence as the DPR/LPR terrorists in Donbas commonly utilize this uniform.

Just a week ago another pair of Ka-52 attack helicopters with red hull numbers of “55” and “53” showed up in the same area of the Rostov region. The Ka-52 helicopters were identified as belonging to the 393rd Air Force Base in Korenovsk (Krasnodar region of the Russian Federation). On the photos there was a Mil Mi-8 helicopter; it is possible that it belongs to the same combat strength.

By Irakli Komakhidze; edited by Larry Field

• Русский: Ми-8АМТШ без опознавательных знаков на границе с Украиной
• Italiano: “MI-8” modificato senza segni di riconoscimento al confine con Ucraina