Croatia has given 14 Mil Mi-8 Hip tactical transport helicopters to Ukraine in a bid to further bolster the war-torn nation's airlift capacities as Russia continues its now one-year assault on the country and its sovereignty. The 14 Hips will comprise 12 Mi-8MTV-is and two Mi-8Ts, with the aircraft being prepared for the transfer at the Zrakoplovno-Tehnicki Centar (ZTC; Aeronautical Technical Centre), which is located next to Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport. Here, the helicopters had their Croatian Air Force markings and serial numbers removed prior to their transfer to Poland ahead of their eventual delivery to Ukraine.
Seven of the 14 Hips involved will be flown immediately to Poland, while the remaining seven, which have been held in long-term storage, will be transported by ground-based transporters. While four rotorless Mi-8s have been spotted on the Zagreb airport ramp since July/August 2022, a fifth aircraft was recently added to this fleet of Hips. According to reports, the remaining helicopters were either held in hangars at ZTC or at Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport and Lucko Airfield.
On February 14, a number of these helicopters were spotted on the ground at Zagreb Airport, each devoid of Croatian Air Force emblems, national insignias, and serial numbers. By February 23, all Hips had vanished. It is unknown whether these aircraft have been relocated to another site for additional preparations or have already been dispatched to Poland. Although the serial numbers and markings on the helicopters have been removed, four of the Hips seen in storage prior to their transfer to Ukraine have been confirmed to be three Mi-8MTV-1s (serials 211, 215, and 254) and one Mi-8T (serial 275).
Mi-8MTV-1s (serials 201, 202, 204, 206, 210, 212, 213, and 251) and Mi-8Ts (serial 274) are the only Hips still in Croatian service. It has been reported that a single Mi-8PS (series 276) is also on its way to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.