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Ukraine - Russia Invasion conflict
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According to Major General Oleksiy Taran, the head of the Main Doctrine and Training Department (J7) of the Ukrainian Army’s General Staff, the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently can provide domestic training for personnel to operate 30 different foreign models of weapons and military equipment. This information was conveyed during an interview with ArmyInform, as reported by Ukrinform, and echoed by Militarnyi
In a recent development of the war in Ukraine reported by Oleh Syniehubov, the Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Russian forces launched an air strike against the city of Kharkiv on January 3, 2023, using S-300 surface-to-air missiles. This incident marks another instance in the ongoing Ukraine conflict where the S-300 missile system, typically designed for air defense, has been repurposed for ground offensives.
A UGV designated D-21-11 developed for the Ukrainian army is currently being tested, the Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced, echoed by Militarnyi. This system was created as part of the Brave1 defense technology cluster.
Recent images on social media reveal the Ukrainian army's deployment of their latest locally-made Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), the Vilkha-M. This addition significantly surpasses the capabilities of the GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) rockets used in the M142 HIMARS, a system supplied by the United States. The Vilkha-M is notable for its extended range of 130 km and increased payload capacity, substantially enhancing the capabilities beyond the M142 HIMARS, which has a maximum range of 70 km.
On January 4, 2024, John Kirby, the spokesperson for National Security at the White House, announced that Russia had used ballistic missiles provided by North Korea against Ukraine. Some open sources have identified these missiles as KN-23s, which were reportedly delivered as noted by the editorial team of Army Recognition on November 26, 2023.
According to several posts on Russian social media on January 5, 2023, Russian soldiers claimed to have destroyed an Iris-T SLM air defense system supplied by Germany to Ukraine using two Lancet kamikaze drones. However, several individuals have raised doubts about the authenticity of the targeted equipment, suggesting it may have been a decoy intended to divert Russian attention.
On December 30th, Russian forces launched new strikes using the upgraded Kh-59Mk2 cruise missiles on the cities of Odessa and Dnipro. These increasing attacks were executed by tactical aviation operating from the Black Sea. The deployment of the Kh-59Mk2, an upgraded version of the Kh-59 missile, reflects a tangible consequence of Russia's advancing armaments production, demonstrating an escalation in the sophistication and capability of the weaponry being utilized in the conflict.
In the ongoing conflict, Russian Tor-M2 air defense systems, as well as Igla and Verba man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), have been crucial in countering air attacks from the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the southern region of Donetsk. These systems, managed by the Vostok force group, are continuously engaged in combat operations.
According to information published on January 2, 2024, by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Russian Aerospace Forces have been experiencing notable success in their air operations in Ukraine. This achievement is significantly attributed to the comprehensive support system in place, particularly emphasizing the use of the RSBN-4N, a sophisticated short-range radio navigation system.
Russia has ramped up the use of its Kinzhal hypersonic missile, as observed in recent Russian strikes in Ukraine where multiple Kinzhal missiles were deployed by Russian armed forces. A year ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an increase in the production of this type of weaponry.
The Ukrainian armed forces reported via Twitter on January 2, 2024, the destruction of Russia's most advanced counter-battery radar system, the 1K148E Yastreb-AV, recently deployed for the first time in the Northern Military Region. The Ukrainian forces are believed to have used a drone and potentially SIGINT capabilities to locate the radar about 31 kilometers from the Ukrainian front lines and 58 kilometers east of Kherson. Subsequently, the Ukrainian forces reportedly launched two targeted attacks, likely with precision shells or rockets fired from multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) such as the M142 HIMARS or M270 MLRS.
On January 3, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense released information regarding the operational performance of the Buk-M3 air defense system, also referred to as the Viking, during its deployment in Ukraine. The Buk-M3, categorized as an advanced medium-range air defense missile system, was utilized to address various aerial threats, including those originating from Western-supplied weaponry.
According to Militarnyi, Ukraine has outlined its plans to commence the assembly of Isuzu D-Max pickup trucks for its armed forces in 2024. This information was confirmed by Oleksandr Dorosh, the chairman of the supervisory board of the Ataman enterprise.
In a demonstration of tactical prowess and technological superiority, the 73rd Maritime Center of Ukrainian Special Forces utilized the advanced capabilities of the HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), and information provided by a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to destroy a Russian 9K33 OSA. The Ukrainian soldiers during an aerial reconnaissance mission, identified the position of the Russian 9K33 OSA anti-aircraft missile vehicle that was destroyed by the high precision fire of a US-donated HIMARS rocket/missile launcher vehicle.
The units of the State Border Service were reinforced with new ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, Militarnyi reports. The DPSU said that the anti-aircraft guns are used to combat Russian barrage ammunition and other air targets. "The anti-aircraft guns will also be used to work on Russian DRGs, to destroy enemy personnel and equipment, including armored ones," the DPSU said.
On January 1, 2023, the Russian Southern Front Telegram channel released footage showing the apparent destruction of an M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This video could mark the first documented instance of a US-supplied HIMARS MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) being destroyed since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022.
Ukrainian authorities announced that during the night of December 28-29, 2023, they suffered significant strikes across their territory, including in Kyiv. These attacks were mainly conducted using Geran-2 drones (Shahed-136) and KH-101 air-launched cruise missiles, marking a significant escalation in the use of advanced military technology by Russia despite nearly two years of war.
According to a post published on the Russian social network VK, dated December 28, 2023, three Ukrainian combat vehicles were seen abandoned on the front, presumably following Russian strikes. These vehicles include a Bergepanzer 3 recovery vehicle and two Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks, which were discussed for their quality on Army Recognition precisely on December 28, 2023. This action provides a unique opportunity for Russia to capture this high-tech equipment and to study these vehicles, which are considered to be at the cutting edge of technology.
In a recent video report released by Ukrainian media on December 27, 2023, the Swedish STRV 122 (Stridsvagn 122) Main Battle Tank, an upgraded version of the German Leopard 2A5, has been highlighted for its exceptional combat performance against Russian forces. The report showcases the tank's remarkable accuracy, detailing its ability to hit targets at distances up to 3.8 kilometers with high precision on the first shot. Currently, the STRV 122 is deployed with Ukraine's 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade, playing a pivotal role in their ongoing military engagements.
According to pictures published on social networks on December 27, 2023, the M109A6 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzers, donated by the United States, are now in service with the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. These units have been deployed in the Bakhmut sector to fight Russian troops.
According to a video released on September 27, 2023, by the 110th Ukrainian Brigade, Ukrainian soldiers achieved a significant feat by destroying a second Russian BMP-T Terminator Model 2017 Fire Support Combat Vehicle in the Avdiivka sector, Eastern Ukraine, using FPV (First Person View) drones. As seen in the footage, the BMP-T Terminator was hit consecutively by two loitering munitions equipped with 73 mm RPG rockets. The second drone proved to be the decisive strike, hitting the Terminator's engine compartment at the rear of the vehicle.
A Russian T-90M main battle tank has recently been neutralized in a drone strike. This event is intriguing for several reasons, particularly because of the nature of the armament used. A simple drone equipped with an RPG warhead was sufficient to neutralize the Russian tank, despite the presence of Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). Subsequently, the crew abandoned the vehicle.
Russian forces have been using old T-62 tanks as self-propelled artillery units on the front lines. This adaptation was highlighted in a video released by Russian media, showcasing the tanks' new role in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
December 25, 2024 – Recent combat experiences shared by Ukrainian soldiers have highlighted the effectiveness of the Swedish SAAB RBS 70 MANPADS (man-portable air-defense missile system) in countering Russian drones on the battlefield. In a significant development on December 24, 2024, the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine successfully shot down a Russian reconnaissance UAV "Supercam" using the Swedish-made RBS 70 system.
On December 24, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its forces have targeted and destroyed Ukrainian NASAMS and French-donated Crotale NG air defense systems stationed at the Starokonstantinov airfield in the Khmelnitsky region. This operation marks the first recorded instance of a Crotale NG system being destroyed in combat.
