Exclusive: Rare Face-to-Face Close Combat Between Ukrainian Bradley M2A2 IFV & Russian BTR-82A.

In a rare and intense face-to-face confrontation, a video has surfaced showing close combat between a U.S.-donated Bradley M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) of the Ukrainian Army and a Russian BTR-82A Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). This extraordinary footage provides a firsthand look at the brutal and close-quarters nature of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine. The encounter concluded with the Bradley M2A2 emerging victor, showcasing its superior combat capabilities.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Captured on video: A rare and intense face-to-face close combat encounter between a US-donated M2A2 Bradley IFV of the Ukrainian Army and a Russian BTR-82A during the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine. (Picture source: Social Network Telegram)

The video, reportedly taken near the front lines, captures the Bradley M2A2 and the BTR-82A engaging at extremely close range, highlighting the critical role of armored vehicles in modern warfare. The Bradley M2A2, known for its robust armor and advanced firepower, goes head-to-head with the BTR-82A, a staple in the Russian armored fleet.

The Bradley M2A2 IFV, manufactured by BAE Systems, is a tracked vehicle designed to provide both firepower and protection to infantry troops. It is equipped with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun capable of firing various types of ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds, making it highly effective against both armored and soft targets. Additionally, the Bradley carries a TOW anti-tank missile system, which can engage and destroy heavily armored vehicles at significant distances. For infantry suppression, it also features a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The vehicle's composite and spaced armor offers enhanced protection against kinetic and shaped charge threats, and optional reactive armor tiles provide additional defense against explosive projectiles.

The 25mm M242 Bushmaster is a highly versatile and reliable chain gun, primarily used on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and a variety of naval and ground platforms. This externally powered, chain-driven autocannon is capable of delivering sustained fire with high accuracy, designed for maximum reliability and minimal maintenance to ensure consistent performance in various combat scenarios.

The 25mm M242 Bushmaster can fire a wide range of ammunition, such as Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS), High-Explosive Incendiary (HEI), and Target Practice (TP) rounds. This versatility allows it to effectively engage armored and soft targets, including infantry and light vehicles.

The gun offers selectable rates of fire, typically ranging from 100 to 200 rounds per minute. This flexibility allows operators to conserve ammunition during prolonged engagements while providing the option for rapid fire when needed. The effective range of the M242 Bushmaster varies with the type of ammunition used but generally achieves effective engagement distances of up to 2,500 meters (approximately 8,200 feet) against ground targets, making it suitable for a variety of tactical situations due to its accuracy and range.

The M242 utilizes a dual-feed mechanism, allowing operators to switch between two different types of ammunition without needing to reload manually. This feature enhances combat versatility and readiness, enabling quick adaptation to changing battlefield conditions. Additionally, the gun features a quick-change barrel system, facilitating rapid barrel replacement in the field to minimize downtime. The barrel is air-cooled and designed to dissipate heat effectively during sustained firing sequences, ensuring the weapon remains operational under intense combat conditions.

The Bradley M2A2 IFV is an American-made Infantery tracked armored fighting vehicle armed with one  25mm automatic cannon. (Pictures source Social Network)

In contrast, the Russian BTR-82A APC (Armored personnel Carrier), produced by Arzamas Machine-Building Plant, is a wheeled vehicle known for its mobility and versatility. It is armed with a 30mm 2A72 autocannon and a 7.62mm PKT machine gun, giving it substantial firepower for engaging infantry and lightly armored targets. However, its welded steel armor, while providing basic protection, is less effective against the advanced munitions carried by the Bradley. The BTR-82A's armor can be supplemented with additional applique armor, but it remains vulnerable in close-quarter confrontations with more heavily armed and armored vehicles like the Bradley M2A2.

The 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon fires a range of ammunition types, including Armor-Piercing Incendiary (API), High-Explosive Incendiary (HEI), and Fragmentation-Tracer (FRAG-T) rounds. This variety allows it to effectively target armored vehicles and personnel and provide anti-aircraft capabilities.

The automatic cannon can fire approximately 330 to 400 rounds per minute. This rate of fire is balanced to provide substantial firepower while maintaining control and accuracy during engagements. The 2A72 has an effective range of up to 2,500 meters (approximately 8,200 feet) against ground targets, similar to the M242 Bushmaster, making it effective in both offensive and defensive roles.

A notable feature of the 2A72 is its relatively low recoil, achieved through its unique design that reduces the stress on the vehicle’s mounting and structure. This contributes to improved accuracy and stability when firing. The automatic cannon is typically fed by a belt system, which ensures a continuous supply of ammunition during sustained engagements.

The barrel of the 2A72 is designed for durability and can sustain prolonged firing without significant degradation of performance. While not equipped with an advanced cooling system, the barrel is air-cooled and constructed to manage heat dissipation effectively, ensuring consistent performance during extended combat operations.

Overall, the 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon on the BTR-82A combines firepower, accuracy, and reliability, making it a formidable weapon in various combat scenarios, capable of engaging a wide range of targets with efficiency and effectiveness.

In this particular engagement, the Bradley M2A2's superior firepower and protection proved decisive, allowing it to outmatch and ultimately defeat the BTR-82A. This encounter underscores the evolving dynamics of armored warfare in the region and the importance of advanced technology and robust defensive capabilities in modern combat.

The BTR-82A is a Russian-made armored personnel carrier armed with one 30mm automatic cannon. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)