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Ukraine - Russia Invasion conflict
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According to reports from the Ukrainian website mil.in.ua, the manufacturing company Airlogix has successfully created the "Hor" reconnaissance drone to cater to the requirements of the Defense Forces. The inaugural test flight of the initial UAV prototype took place in May 2022, as stated by ArmiyaInform.
According to an article published by Flight on August 28, 2023, the German government has put forward a proposal to Greece for a reciprocal arrangement. This arrangement involves exchanging Greek Leopard 1A5/GR tanks for ex-Italian Leopard 1A5 tanks on a one-to-one basis. These ex-Italian tanks, which were acquired by the Swiss group RUAG with the intention of selling them to Ukraine, are currently held up due to an investigation conducted by Swiss authorities.
Citing feedback provided by the Ukrainian soldiers, the M777 155mm towed howitzers donated by Australia, Canada, and the United States offered a real tactical advantage on the A video published on the "Ukraine Weapons Tracker" Twitter account on August 26, 2023, revealed that Russian armed forces have destroyed a second CAESAR 6x6 155mm self-propelled howitzer using a Lancet loitering munition near Veselyi Hai, Donetsk Oblast. This marks the second confirmed destruction of a CAESAR howitzer out of the 30 that have been delivered by France to Ukraine since May 2022.
Kyiv, Ukraine, August 25, 2023 - In a significant development that marks a new era in Ukraine's military capabilities, the Ukrainian Air Force has released a photograph of a Su-27 fighter jet equipped with a modified Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER). The image, published on the Air Force's official Telegram account on August 24, 2023, showcases the integration of the U.S.-supplied precision-guided weapon with the Ukrainian fleet.
On August 25, 2023, information emerged on Russian social media revealing the deployment of a second armored train designated as "Baikal" alongside the previously mentioned "Volga." These trains have been assigned roles in demining and escort operations within the Ukrainian combat zone. Notably, these trains are equipped with various weaponry, including a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun system and a BMP-2 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) mounted on a flatbed railway car.
Recent reports from Russian media highlight that frontline Russian military units have started to receive modified VOG-17 30mm grenades. These grenades have been adapted at manufacturing plants to be compatible with commercial drones. This move comes as a departure from the previous practice of soldiers having to adjust the ammunition under field conditions. The adjustments aim to better align with the specific operational requirements of utilizing drones.
According to an article by ArmyInform on August 23, 2023, Ukrainian military personnel have introduced a new octocopter drone called Velikiy Banderik. It originated from the adaptation of agricultural UAVs initially designed for irrigation, commencing on March 8, 2022. After evaluating several options, the octocopter configuration was chosen due to its perceived stability in demanding conditions.
In a significant development that could have far-reaching implications in the region, a Russian S-400 "Triumph" air defense missile system was completely destroyed by Ukrainian forces near the village of Olenivka on the Tarhankut Peninsula in temporarily occupied Crimea. The incident occurred on August 23, 2023, at around 10:00 AM local time and was announced by the Ukrainian military intelligence.
According to a Defense24 article published on August 22, 2023, Ukraine's domestically produced Bastion-2 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System), an updated version of the Soviet BM-21 Grad, remains in use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to engage targets in Russia. It is reported that a total of only six units were manufactured.
According to a tweet by Clash Report on August 23, 2023, Ukrainian Armed Forces' strikes reportedly targeted Russian radar stations in Olenivka, Crimea. Earlier reports suggest that both a Podlet-K1 low-altitude surveillance radar used with the S-400 air defense system and a Bastion coastal missile system were also hit, damaged, or destroyed. Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (GUR) later shared footage confirming the destruction of these systems.
On August 22, 2023, LLC Ukrainian Armored Technology announced a joint venture with two undisclosed NATO member countries for the production of 120mm mortar ammunition. The 120mm mortar rounds are crucial for the conflict in Ukraine as they are widely used by Ukrainian forces, not only by mortar teams but also by drone operators who do not hesitate to use them as explosive payloads for their UAVs.
According to a tweet by JohnMT on August 21, 2023, a Russian ZALA Lancet loitering munition targeted and destroyed a Ukrainian AN/TPQ-36 counter-artillery radar. Records show that the United States began supplying these radars to Ukraine in 2015, with a total of 74 units delivered by August 2023.
According to a tweet from Ukrainian Witness dated August 22, 2023, a Russian Lancet reportedly struck a T-90M tank of its own forces. Contrary to initial thoughts, this action might not have been a complete mistake but rather a tactic to prevent it from falling into the hands of Ukrainian forces. This move highlights the significance of equipment captured in Ukraine and the preference to destroy it rather than let it be seized by the enemy.
In a recent article from Militarnyi in August 2023, Ukraine's Pozhmashina company unveiled the PM-B Pyrotechnic mine clearing vehicle. This company, known for its specialization in transforming civilian trucks for emergency services, primarily fire trucks, has now expanded its expertise to include mine clearance trucks.
On August 21, 2023, according to a tweet from Ukraine Weapons Tracker, a Ukrainian M1132 Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle was reported to have been destroyed by Russian forces. The incident took place near Robotyne, located in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast region. Interestingly, we had just reported the appearance of the Stryker in combat on August 22, 2023, on Army Recognition.
For the first time in the ongoing conflict, the US-provided Stryker combat vehicles have been spotted in action on the Ukrainian frontlines. A video released on Telegram on August 15, 2023, provides visual evidence of a Stryker in the heat of battle, targeted by a Russian Lancet loitering munition. While the aftermath of this attack remains uncertain, and the video's authenticity is still under scrutiny, it's clear from this and other reports that the Strykers have been deployed in Ukraine.
According to an article by ArmyInform on August 20, 2023, Ukrainian engineers have introduced an electric ATV evacuation vehicle known as the Crafter HIMAKS (HIMAKS stands for "Evacuation Quadricycle" in Ukrainian). Currently, five HIMAKS are operational on the front lines, fulfilling the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and providing an efficient solution for evacuating wounded individuals from the battlefront.
The interview on August 19, 2023, in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung with Rheinmetall's CEO, Armin Papperger, highlighted the company's plans to start servicing tanks in Ukraine in a few days. According to him, the first 12 Ukrainian employees have completed their training in Germany, and now a further 12 are coming but Rheinmetall's projects with Ukraine don't stop there.
According to a tweet posted by MilitaryLand on August 19, 2023, the Ukrainian 82nd Air Assault Brigade, known as the most potent Ukrainian Air Assault unit, has utilized the German-supplied Marder in a combat operation for the first time. The brigade's armament is said to comprise 90 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), 40 Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), 24 M113 infantry carriers, and 14 British Challenger 2 main battle tanks.
On August 19, 2023, Ukraine and Sweden signed a declaration of intent for the production, repair, and training related to the Swedish-made Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The declaration was made public by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a press conference after his meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
On August 19, 2023, according to a tweet from WarVehicleTracker, a Ukrainian "Panzermörser" M113 120mm was reported as destroyed. This marks the first confirmed loss of this specific type of armored vehicle. The M113 has undergone various modifications and versions over the years, with the "Panzermörser" variant being equipped with a 120mm mortar.
On August 19, 2023, a drone attack took place at the Soltsy air base in Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located more than 650 kilometers from the border with Ukraine. A Russian strategic bomber, Tu-22M3, was destroyed, and another was reportedly damaged by quadcopter drone attacks.
A video circulating on social media platforms on August 19, 2023, reveals Ukrainian soldiers from the 47th Magura Brigade in Novopokropivka, located south of Robotyno, successfully targeting and destroying a Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter using the Swedish RBS 70 Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS).
According to reports from Russian media, the Gibka-S, a short-range surface-to-air missile system (SAM) developed by the JSC Machine Building Design Bureau, has been deployed and is currently being evaluated in Ukraine. Rostec, in an interview, discussed the feedback received from the system's deployment and confirmed their ongoing technical support for these SAMs, with teams visiting the Ukrainian frontline for assistance.
According to reports from Russian media on August 17, 2023, the production of the Krasnopol-M2 laser-guided artillery shell, commonly referred to as the "sniper shell", is set to increase by 25 times in 2024. Vyacheslav Kovalev, the managing director of the Tula KBP enterprise, made this announcement on the Zvezda TV channel. This significant increase in production has been supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
