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Ukraine - Russia Invasion conflict
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In a significant revelation, researchers using satellite imagery have analyzed Russia's withdrawal of 25 to 40% of its strategic tank reserves, depending on the model, from outdoor storage facilities. They estimate that the most effective equipment has likely been removed, leaving less efficient or irreparable materials behind.
On March 10, 2024, the Ukrainian 45th Artillery Brigade utilized its social media platforms to share a video showcasing the successful counter-battery operation against three Russian 152mm D20 howitzers stationed in the Kreminna region, achieved using a Swedish-supplied Archer self-propelled gun.
The Ukrainian military has managed to integrate the donation of M-55S tanks from Slovenia into its operational forces. This contribution, made in April 2022, just two months after Russia expanded its offensive against Ukraine, included 28 M-55S tanks. This donation also brought a host of challenges that the Ukrainians had to overcome to best operate the Slovenian tanks.
Ukrainian soldiers have been reported to make crucial upgrades to the German-made Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks, a contribution from Germany, Poland, Spain, Canada, and some other European countries aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities following the invasion of the country by Russian troops. Recent pictures of the warfront show these armor improvements designed to increase the protection of the tanks against the evolving threats in the Ukrainian conflict zone and new Russian threats.
On March 9, 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a sophisticated drone attack on the Beriev Aircraft Company in Taganrog, Russia. This strike targeted a key facility involved in the modernization of Russia's A-50 AWACS aircraft, dealing a significant blow to the Russian military's aerial surveillance capabilities.
In a recent video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense dated March 9, 2024, it was claimed that a Ukrainian S-300 air defense missile system was successfully targeted and destroyed by a Russian Iskander ballistic missile. However, emerging analyses based on drone-captured photographs of the aftermath suggest a different narrative, hinting at the possibility that the actual target may have been a German-supplied Patriot missile launcher. If the destruction is confirmed, it would be the first Patriot system destroyed by Russian forces.
It was reported on March 8, 2024, that the Russian armed forces have introduced a new kind of precision-guided munition, marking a notable advancement in their military capabilities. The revelation came to light through photographs shared on the Telegram account of an officer in the Ukrainian armed forces. The images showcased the adaptation of the Soviet-era FAB-250, a 250-kilogram (550 lb) general-purpose bomb, into a more sophisticated and longer-range guided weapon.
In a significant shift on the Ukrainian front, Russian combat aviation has made a noticeable return following a period of relative withdrawal. This tactical change by Moscow has led to an increase in aerial engagements, resulting in a high number of Russian aircraft losses at the hands of Ukrainian forces during February. Despite limited use since the conflict's outset, and with Ukraine awaiting the delayed delivery of American F-16 fighter jets now scheduled for June 2024, Russia appears to be revising its strategy.
A Ukrainian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) M2A2 ODS-SA "Bradley" engaged in rare close combat with a Russian BMP-2 IFV near Avdiivka. This intense encounter was vividly captured by a Ukrainian drone and posted on social media by the Ukrainian Front dated March 6, 2024. Utilizing its M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon, the Bradley fired a series of shells at its Russian counterpart leading to its destruction. However, it is noted that the BMP-2 did not appear to be moving, and there are doubts about the presence of a crew inside the vehicle.
Ukrainian soldiers have reported that the British AS90 155mm self-propelled howitzers offer a considerable advantage in terms of firing accuracy and range when compared to Soviet-era artillery systems in service with the Ukrainian army such as the 2S1 Gvozdika and 2S3 Akatsiya. This superiority is attributed to the AS90's use of L15A1/2 conventional high-explosive shells, which are more aerodynamic and thus capable of flying farther than even the American M107 shells.
On March 5, 2024, several Russian media reported the first confirmed instance of the destruction of a US-supplied M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This event has been verified due to the provision of visual evidence by the Russian Armed Forces, showcasing the aftermath of the attack near the village of Pokrovsk, located approximately 40 kilometers away from the combat line.
In a series of strategic operations, Ukrainian forces have intensified their use of drone strikes against critical infrastructure in Russian-occupied territories and border areas, marking a significant shift in tactics aimed at disrupting Russian military efforts and energy supplies.
On March 4, 2024, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk, the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, disclosed through a video the utilization of the AASM-250 precision-guided munition, supplied by France, targeting a Russian Armed Forces facility within the Russia-occupied Kherson Oblast, Ukraine. This operation marked the initial use by the Ukrainian Air Force of such munitions in the context of the current conflict.
In the latest British Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine dated March 4, 2024, the British Defence Minister announced that throughout February 2024, Russia conducted a series of targeted attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure, including electrical power infrastructure, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped for one-way attack (OWA UAVs).
Russia has announced the mass production of the new Scalpel loitering munition also called kamikaze drone, with plans to deliver several thousand units to its military forces deployed in Ukraine by the end of 2024. This move underscores the increasing reliance on drone warfare by Russian forces in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
As reported by Defense Express on February 21, 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, confronted with a significant shortage of Western weapons and the uncertainty of further supplies, have developed three new military vehicles named Kharakternyk, Sikach, and Lys. These vehicles, designed as substitutes for the American Humvee, MaxxPro, and M113 respectively, have been deployed across various units of the Security and Defense Forces to address the urgent need for armored vehicles.
The French Ministry of Armed Forces has published the list of military equipment and combat vehicles delivered to Ukraine. On Monday, March 4, 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces released the inventory of military equipment supplied to Ukraine from February 24, 2022, to December 31, 2023. The French government provided Ukraine with military equipment valued at a total of 2.615 billion euros, in addition to an extra contribution of 1.2 billion euros to the European Peace Facility (EPF), bringing its total support to over 3.8 billion euros by December 31, 2023. While most of these items were already known, their quantities were not necessarily disclosed.
Russian forces have intensified their operations against Ukrainian military equipment, specifically targeting combat vehicles and artillery systems provided to Ukraine by its Western allies. A notable instance of this strategy was brought to light through photos and videos circulated on Russian social media platforms, showcasing the alleged destruction of the first Zuzana 2 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer supplied to Ukraine by Slovakia by Russian Lancet loitering munition.
In a recent update garnered from open-source intelligence and corroborated by images circulated on social media platforms, it has been revealed that Australia has made a significant contribution to Ukraine's military capabilities by supplying 14 Special Forces vehicles. These vehicles, known as the HMT Extenda Mk 2, are also utilized by the British army, where they are referred to as the Coyote.
The announcement on social media by the Ukrainian Air Force about the destruction of a command post and a missile artillery depot of the Russian forces near a military base in the Kherson region, using a JDAM-ER guided bomb, is an interesting event. The JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range) represents an advancement in guided munition technology, offering military forces the capability to precisely strike targets at a significantly increased distance compared to earlier versions of the JDAM. A series of strikes were recently conducted by Ukrainian forces against Russian air forces, but with what objective? Perhaps to pave the way for the F-16 fighter jets.
On February 23, 2024, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced that Ukrainian missile units had successfully destroyed two Russian Buk-M3 air defense missile systems in the last 24 hours. However, this announcement was not accompanied by any images confirming these actions. The targets hit also reportedly included a Russian control point, three artillery systems, and an ammunition storage point.
According to a report by Voice of America (VOA) on February 28, 2024, the Ukrainian 24th Separate Brigade's soldiers have positively assessed the US-supplied M109A6 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer, noting its advantages over former Soviet-era howitzers. They observed that the Paladin's extended firing range and improved protective measures mark an update in the brigade's artillery capabilities.
In the context of the ongoing international military assistance provided to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression since February 2022, the Swedish-made CV9040 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) has garnered high praise from Ukrainian soldiers. Recognized as a pivotal asset on the battlefield, the CV9040, also known as Strf 9040 in the Swedish army, stands out for its sophisticated design and robust capabilities.
Under the "Lion's Revenge" campaign, the Lviv municipal community is set to distribute 750 FPV drones to their airborne assault divisions, as declared by Lviv's Mayor, Andriy Sadovy, quoted by Militarnyi. The initiative enabled the Lviv community to gather 10 million hryvnias to fund the acquisition of FPV drones for Ukraine's military forces. Mayor Sadovy indicated that further acquisitions of such drones are anticipated shortly, aiming to bolster the military's capability to counteract adversaries effectively.
In a recent interview with the Ukrainian Press Agency "Interfax," Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Ukraine's HUR Main Intelligence Directorate, disclosed a significant escalation along the Ukraine-Russia border. According to Skibitskyi, Russia has ramped up its deployment of Iskander mobile ballistic missile systems, positioning a total of 48 launchers close to Ukraine. This marks an increase of two additional Iskander launchers since September 2023.
