Atesh has documented the active use by Russian troops of areas within the destroyed Azovstal steel plant for the parking deployment of combat helicopters, which they have posted on Telegram.
The partisans released matching videos that they say show “The occupiers are deploying combat helicopters on Azovstal,” and said the helicopters are being used for combat missions.
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“Our people are closely monitoring enemy aircraft activity and troop movements,” the message said.
Atesh also reported the discovery of several private homes where Russian pilots are billeted.
“All information has been relayed to the Defense Forces of Ukraine. The enemy will be driven out of Mariupol!” the statement read.
In early 2023, the adviser to the exiled mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andryushchenko, revealed that Russian troops had established a base for military helicopters on the grounds of the destroyed plant. He specifically mentioned that Mi-8 helicopters were stationed at Azovstal.
Last summer, the press service of the Mariupol City Council disclosed that the Russian army was dismantling the defunct plant for scrap metal, despite promises to restore the enterprise.
During the epic Feb.-May 2022 siege of Mariupol by Russia Ukraine's special operations command flew secret helicopter sorties landing at the Azovstal compound, to deliver critically-needed ammunition and evacuate casualties.
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About 120 volunteer fighters and medical crews made it into the siege perimeter before Kremlin forces overran defenses. At least six helicopters were shot down and 50 service personnel killed in relief flights taking place in March and April.
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