35th Mixed Aviation Squadron (Ukraine)

35th Mixed Aviation Squadron
35-та змішана авіаційна ескадрилья
Active2019–present
Country Ukraine
Allegiance Armed Forces of Ukraine
Branch Ukrainian Air Force
Special Operations Forces
RoleSpecial operations
SizeSquadron
Part of 456th Transport Aviation Brigade
Special Operations Forces Command
Garrison/HQHavryshivka Air Base, Vinnytsia Oblast
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander
Bohdan Andrushko
Aircraft flown
HelicopterMi-8, Mi-8 MSB-V, Mi-2
TransportAn-26

The 35th Mixed Aviation Squadron is a tactical aviation unit within the 456th Transport Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force, operationally subordinate to the Special Operations Forces Command.

History

The unit was created in 2019 to give the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine air assets for special operations and was conceptualised to meet NATO standards. It started out with Mil Mi-8 and Mil Mi-2 multi-purpose helicopters and was said to receive Mil Mi-24 combat helicopters.[1][2]

The unit is tasked with insertion, extraction and resupply of special operations forces.[3][4] It is rumoured that the Squadron operates a Mi-8AMTSh (RF-04428), that was hijacked from Russian forces in August 2023, during Operation Synytsia.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Special Operations Forces Create Combat Aviation Squadron". Freedom. 5 January 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Ukraine's Special Operations Forces received their own Aviation Squadron". Ukrainian Military Pages. 5 January 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  3. ^ "operators of the 35th Mixed Aviation Squadron". Facebook. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (UASOF) – They're Coming for You". Kyiv Post. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Russia reports attempted helicopter hijacking". Militarnyi. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2026.