UH-60A Black Hawk

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Before February 2022, the Ukrainian army and other security forces primarily operated Soviet-made helicopters, with the majority consisting of Mi-8 transport helicopters and Mi-24 combat helicopters. However, in February 2023, photos and videos emerged in the information space showing a helicopter belonging to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Intelligence Directorate, which featured an unusual blue-black livery and Ukrainian identification markings. This helicopter turned out to be a UH-60A Black Hawk, which had undergone certain upgrades and was handed over to the Ukrainian defenders. According to some sources, this helicopter was likely previously owned by the civilian company Ace Aeronautics, which specializes in upgrading transport aircraft cabins. In the spring of 2024, it became known that the combat aviation of the Main Intelligence Directorate received another UH-60A Black Hawk, now painted in the standard olive-green color scheme. Both helicopters are tasked with transporting special forces units to carry out necessary combat missions.