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Ukraine - Russia Invasion conflict
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The first YPR-765 infantry fighting vehicle in the PRI version produced by Dutch company DAF (somehow a combat variant of the M113), long decommissioned from the Dutch army and transferred from a private collector, was recorded in Ukraine, as shown in a video published by the Ukrainian Front Twitter account and echoed by Militarnyi.
On August 31, 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and BAE Systems signed a framework agreement on cooperation for the repair, provision of spare parts, and production of new M119 light howitzers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with representatives from BAE Systems. The meeting aimed to strengthen Ukraine's defense sector and was marked by the signing of several key agreements.
On August 30, 2023, Germany announced one more significant military aid package for Ukraine. Among this new aid are 10 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, which have been a topic of frequent discussion lately. These Leopard 1A5 tanks are likely to become the most numerous main battle tanks among the Ukrainian forces.
On August 29, 2023, a tweet from Angry Cossack confirmed that the Russian military had lost a 9S36M fire-control radar, a crucial component of the Buk-M3 missile system. This marks the first time such a loss has been publicly acknowledged.
Switzerland is stepping up its humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine by sending, a remote-controlled demining machine. On August 29, 2023, the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) announced that it would be supplying the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) with this specialized equipment. The move aims to facilitate the safe and efficient clearance of areas contaminated with mines, cluster munitions, and other explosive remnants of war.
According to an article by Forbes on August 28, 2023, Ukraine's Leopard 2 tank fleet suffered minimal losses during the ongoing counteroffensive operations in the southern and eastern regions. Within the fleet, only five Leopard 2 tanks have been confirmed as destroyed, and an additional 10 tanks have sustained damage but are deemed repairable.
Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, announced on August 29, 2023, in Ukrainian media that Russia plans to domestically produce the Shahed-136 drone, also known as Geran-2 in Russian service. This move aims to increase the number of drones available to the Russian military and reduce dependency on limited deliveries from Iran. This increased availability of drones could give Russia the upper hand in aerial warfare, putting Ukrainian defenses under immense pressure.
In the near future, the Ukrainian military plans to integrate ground-based robotic systems into active service, capable of engaging in combat operations to provide fire support and execute various tasks. This declaration was made by Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, Mikhail Fedorov, and was echoed by a report from topwar.ru.
In a tweet from Ukrainian Front published on August 29, 2023, it was revealed that the German Boxer RCH155 155mm self-propelled howitzer is currently in production for Ukraine. The first units are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024, with additional orders to be announced soon.
On August 29, 2023, the US Department of State made an announcement about a new military package for Ukraine, valued at $250 million. It consists of AIM-9M missiles designed for air defense, munitions for M142 HIMARS, artillery ammunition of both 155mm and 105mm, equipment for clearing mines, anti-armor systems like Javelin and other rockets, over 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition, ambulances, tools for demolishing obstacles, as well as spare parts, services, training, and transportation.
In a strategic maneuver, Russia has mobilized its best paratrooper unit, the 76th Guard Air Assault Division (GAAD), to the southern regions of Ukraine. This move is seen as a direct response to the escalating counteroffensive led by Ukrainian forces in the area.
According to a tweet from Ukrainian Front dated August 29, 2023, the Russian army is in the process of strengthening its second line of defense in the Donbas region. However, the pace of construction is significantly hindered by Ukrainian FPV kamikaze drones operated by the RAROG unit. Although this information may seem trivial, it could indicate Russia's lack of confidence in maintaining a reliable and robust first line of defense for an extended period.
According to a tweet by OSINTdefender on August 29, 2023, Ukraine's Operational Command South carried out an operation aimed at the Port of Zaliznyi in the Kherson Region. The operation resulted in the demolition of a confidential coastal radar system called Predel-E, valued at approximately $200 million. In addition to the radar system, an associated Leer-2 electronic warfare system, which protected the radar installation, was also destroyed. The specific means of destruction (whether by HIMARS strikes or precision jet strikes) is still under debate.
According to a tweet from Salva Ukraini dated August 27, 2023, footage has emerged showing French VAB armored personnel carriers in Ukraine. This article aims to delve into the details of the VABs, how many have been delivered to Ukraine, and what this means for the ongoing conflict in the region.
On August 18, 2023, Naalsio posted a tweet showing a destroyed Russian Ural-4320 military truck towing a 152mm 2A36 'Giatsint-B' howitzer. The location of the destruction remains undisclosed. This event has garnered attention as it is the first time a loss of this type has been recorded and verified through video.
Eight months after its introduction to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Lavr APC has apparently showcased its effectiveness in the ongoing conflict, as detailed in an ArmyInform article dated August 19, 2023. It's noteworthy to mention that it's a rare occasion for Ukrainian troops to speak about equipment delivered just prior to the Russian invasion.
According to a tweet by Chuck Pfarrer published on August 26, 2023, an attack on the Kursk air base in Russia was carried out using PPDS drones designed in Australia by the SYPAQ company. Their unique feature is that they are primarily made of cardboard, wax, and elastic, which makes them virtually invisible to enemy air defenses. We already told you about the delivery of the PPDS to Ukraine in an Army Recognition article, dated 29 March 2023.
According to reports on Telegram dated August 26, 2023, Russian soldiers employed a Zala Aero Lancet loitering munition to destroy a Ukrainian P-18 Malakhit radar situated near the Chuguevo settlement in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine. The P-18 radar system, integral to the air defense infrastructure, is capable of detecting and tracking aerial threats, including missiles, at distances of up to 300 km, with the ability to identify targets flying at altitudes up to 35 km.
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.
