Verified: a Czech-supplied (and Russian-made) Mi-35 attack helicopter seen for the first time in action over #Ukraine.
Thanks to tiny details in camo, I managed to confirm this as former CZAF #3362, made in 2004 and very recently completely overhauled. #OSINT
@UAWeapons @DefMon3
How do we know? First hint was the camo style itself. Upon delivery from Russia in 2004-2006, Mi-35 wore a bit brighter and glossier camo with a bit different pattern and more sharply divided colors. Like... that.
3/ From circa 2015, Mi-35s which have reached the limit of flying hours are being overhauled by LOM Praha. Each such overhaul costs approx. 3M €.
They also receive a bit different camo: colours are very flat and pattern is more softer. See the difference?
5/ The other one, #3362, has these shapes a bit different. Compare:
Source: airplane-pictures.net/photo/1419086/…
4/ There is a contract for up to 10 such overhauls and not completely finished yet. Thanks to spotters, I managed to find a suitable picture of each of those overhauled. And in details, only one matched the one shown by @stratcomcentre
It was the 3370. See shapes 1 and 2.
5/ The other one, #3362, has these shapes a bit differently. Compare:
Source: airplane-pictures.net/photo/1419086/…
6/ As you can see, Ukrainians have equipped them with huge national flags, probably to minimize the risk of friendly fire.
However, they did it in a bit uneven way. :)
3370 in the forefront has one extra flag close to the rotor, while 3362 does not.
Voila!
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