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Ukraine - Russia Invasion conflict
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In the current context of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has added a new dimension to its military strategy by employing kamikaze drones armed with TBG-7V thermobaric rockets. Drones are well-known today, but it's quite rare to see them armed with such destructive potential.
As reported by Special Kherson Cat on December 21, 2023, the Russian Armed Forces have started utilizing remote-controlled kamikaze vehicles against Ukrainian strongholds, mimicking the WW2 German Goliath. The previously human-operated Russian kamikaze MT-LB, an armored personnel carrier, is now remotely operated and equipped with a VT-40 FPV (First Person View) drone. This drone was mounted on the front of the MT-LB, providing camera assistance for navigation and targeting.
Russia has reportedly initiated the production and deployment of its most advanced self-propelled howitzer known as 2S35 "Koalitsiya-SV" in Ukraine. This information, although not officially confirmed, comes from a reliable source within the Russian military, as reported by TASS on December 20, 2023.
According to Militarnyi, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (GUR) has received a brand-new PD-2 unmanned aerial reconnaissance system from the Charitable Foundation "Return Alive."
In a rare close-quarters battle, a Ukrainian M2A2 ODS Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) encountered a Russian BMP infantry fighting vehicle, providing a striking example of the intensity of combat on the front. This engagement, captured by a Ukrainian drone, took place near the Stepove suburb of Avdiivka on December 13, 2023.
December 20, 2023 - In a significant escalation of military tactics in Ukraine, the Russian Air Force has reportedly utilized the Kh-47 Kinzhal, known in NATO as the AS-24 Killjoy, marking its first deployment since August 2023. According to the British Ministry of Defense Intelligence, at least one of these hypersonic ballistic missiles was launched into central Ukraine on December 14, 2023, targeting a military airfield.
On December 15, 2023, the Defense Forces of Ukraine successfully destroyed a Russian Murom-M video long-range intelligence surveillance system and two Aistyonok radar stations. The operation was conducted by a drone belonging to the Code 9.2 unit of the 92nd Assault Brigade. This information was reported by Ukrinform and later confirmed by the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine via Telegram.
As reported by Militarnyi, the National Guard of Ukraine has received 27 additional M113 armored personnel carriers from their buyer, a fundraiser called United24 who said that, like previous and future ones, this new batch of M113s will provide fire support to units in combat, evacuate the wounded, and deliver ammunition and rations to the front line.
As demonstrated by the deployment of the upgraded Bohdana 2.0, a 155mm self-propelled howitzer equipped with a redesigned cabin of Varta APC, by the 57th separate motorized infantry brigade, Ukraine's recent advancements in military capabilities, particularly in artillery, are evident. This is part of Ukraine’s initiative to update and strengthen its artillery in response to the decrease in the delivery of artillery systems to Ukraine from European allies and the United States.
On December 17, 2023, Oleg Syniehubov, Head of the Ukrainian Kharkiv Regional State Administration, reported that the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) recently received two modified Dozor-B armored personnel carriers. These vehicles have been adapted specifically for GUR's specific needs, focusing on enhancements for operations against Russian troops.
Nearly two years have passed since Russia initiated its full-scale conflict with Ukraine. The consequences of this conflict have reverberated throughout various sectors, including ecology, energy, finance, food, geopolitics, and humanitarian concerns. In this report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) provides an analysis of the broader impact of the Ukrainian war.
Kyiv, Ukraine, December 18, 2023 - The Ukrainian Air Force announced on December 14, 2023, the successful interception of a Russian Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile. The missile, aimed at the city of Kyiv, was reportedly neutralized by an American-supplied Patriot missile system, a notable achievement given the Kinzhal's reputation as a nearly un-interceptable weapon due to its high-speed capabilities.
To enhance the protection of the TOS-1A, one of the most powerful artillery systems in the Russian armed forces, Russian soldiers have implemented additional measures while deployed in Ukraine. These include the installation of the P-377UVM1L 'Lesochek' jamming station on the TOS-1A units. This advanced jamming station is specifically designed to counter the threats posed by loitering munitions and First-Person View (FPV) drones. Alongside this technological upgrade, the TOS-1A has also been outfitted with wire cage armor around its rocket launcher station.
The Swedish ARCHER 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer demonstrates its efficiency with the 45th Artillery Brigade of the Ukrainian Army in combat against Russian forces.
In a striking example of battlefield ingenuity and the enduring capability of older military hardware, an old Ukrainian T-64BV Main Battle Tank (MBT) accomplished a notable feat by destroying a modernized Russian T-72B3 tank. This incident has drawn attention to the T-64BV's continued relevance and effectiveness in modern warfare.
Moscow, Russia, December 15, 2023: In a significant development, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its T-80BVM Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) deployed in Ukraine are now standardly equipped with advanced protection systems. These systems are specifically designed to counter high-precision weapons and First-Person View (FPV) drones, a growing threat on the Ukrainian battlefield.
A video released on December 19, 2023, on Russian official social media shows crews of the MT-12 Rapira, also known as 2A29, anti-tank guns from the Vostok group of forces fighting against Western armored vehicles in the South Donetsk direction of the Northern Military District. It is interesting to note that this anti-tank gun was developed in the 1960s.
On December 9, 2023, the Operational Command "South" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces received a new shipment of 20 light tactical vehicles, commonly referred to as "battle buggies," which were entirely crafted through the initiative of a volunteer movement with support from major industrial enterprises.
Russian media outlet K-Politika recently reported that the Russian army has escalated its use of the BMPT fire support combat vehicles in Ukraine. This tactical shift aims to neutralize key targets and observation positions of Ukrainian forces more effectively.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted a Ukrainian Tochka-U tactical missile. This interception was made in the Belgorod Region, a border region of Ukraine. This event allows us to take a closer look at the specificities of this Ukrainian missile.
A photo on the Russian social network 'VK' from December 11, 2023, suggests that the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces might be using German-made Wiesel 1 armored vehicles. While there's no official confirmation of Wiesel 1 being supplied by Germany, the newspaper 'Focus.de' reported on April 28, 2022, that Germany was considering supplying Wiesel 1 and Wiesel 2 tracked airborne armored vehicles to Ukraine.
As reported by BTA on December 7, 2023, the Bulgarian parliamentary defense committee voted to supply Ukraine with malfunctioning anti-aircraft missile systems and various types of anti-aircraft missiles. The decision, with 11 votes in favor, four against, and one abstention, has generated discussions within Bulgaria's political landscape.
On December 10, 2023, British Defence Intelligence reported a significant Russian airstrike conducted on the night of December 7, targeting Kyiv and central Ukraine. This operation marked the first use of heavy bombers, specifically the Tu-95 BEAR H, in such attacks since September 21, 2023. These bombers were deployed to launch a series of cruise missiles, notably the Kh-101, also known by its NATO code designation AS-23A KODIAK. The strike involved at least 16 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCMs) fired from the Caspian Sea region, a known operational area for these aircraft.
According to Russian social media on December 3, 2023, the Russian Armed Forces utilized an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for the first time in a medical evacuation (medevac) mission. Video footage depicts the 87th separate rifle regiment employing a homemade ground-based unmanned platform for tactical resupply and casualty evacuation in the Avdiivka direction, an area marked by intense fighting.
Recent images released on the Facebook page of Ukraine's 44th Brigade reveal a significant advancement in the country's military capabilities. As of December 10, 2023, the Ukrainian armed forces have officially incorporated the first units of the Polish-made RAK 120 Wheeled 8x8 self-propelled mortar carrier armored vehicles into their arsenal.
