Not to detract from you valid points (since I think these are important questions to ask) but the rebels do have a small airforce.<p>Source: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ibtimes.com&#x2F;pro-russian-rebels-have-air-force-made-old-soviet-aircraft-say-ukraine-officials-1799114" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ibtimes.com&#x2F;pro-russian-rebels-have-air-force-mad...</a><p>&quot;Kiev has claimed that Ukrainian troops have destroyed one separatist L-39 military trainer aircraft, two An-2 agricultural aircraft, one Yak-52 trainer airplane and four Mi-24 attack helicopters -- the latter being the most dangerous aircraft in the list, and the only ones built expressly for an armed role.&quot;<p>Wikipedia also has a list:
<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;List_of_equipment_of_the_United_Armed_Forces_of_Novorossiya#Aircraft" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;List_of_equipment_of_the_Unite...</a>