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Ukraine Uses TOW Missiles from US Bradley M2A2 IFVs to Disrupt Russian Supply Lines.
On October 28, 2024, footage surfaced on Ukrainian social media showing U.S.-supplied Bradley M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) in action, marking the first time the Bradley has been seen using its TOW anti-tank missiles against Russian forces. Captured near Veseloe in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, the footage reveals Ukrainian crews skillfully deploying the Bradley’s formidable 25mm M242 Bushmaster chaingun alongside the TOW missiles to engage and suppress Russian positions, demonstrating the vehicle’s enhanced role in Ukraine’s operations on Russian territory.
Ukraine uses TOW missiles from Bradley M2A2 to engage and suppress Russian positions (Picture source: Ukraine Social Media)
The TOW anti-tank missile system, mounted on the Bradley M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, is a powerful asset in armored warfare. The TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) missile is designed to engage and destroy heavily armored targets, such as tanks and fortified positions, with precision. The TOW missile launcher on the Bradley M2A2 is capable of launching a variety of missile variants, each with an effective range of up to 3,750 meters. Equipped with a tandem warhead, the missile can penetrate explosive reactive armor (ERA), making it effective against modern armored vehicles. The missile’s guidance system, which involves an optical tracker and wire guidance, enables accurate engagement of targets at long distances, even in challenging battlefield conditions. This technical versatility, combined with the Bradley’s 25mm chaingun, enhances the vehicle's ability to counter a broad spectrum of threats, providing Ukrainian forces with the firepower to neutralize high-value Russian armored assets.
For Ukrainian forces, targeting Russian supply lines using systems like the TOW-equipped Bradley M2A2 holds crucial strategic advantages. By disrupting Russian logistics, Ukrainian units can impede the resupply of essential resources such as fuel, ammunition, and replacement equipment to frontline Russian units. Striking these supply lines creates logistical delays and shortages that weaken the operational capability of Russian forces, limiting their ability to mount sustained offensives. This tactic not only slows down Russian advances but also forces their units to divert resources to protect these critical routes, stretching their defensive efforts across broader areas. In essence, the Ukrainian use of Bradley-mounted TOW missiles against supply line convoys or infrastructure plays a dual role, both depleting the enemy’s combat resources and forcing tactical adjustments that could shift the conflict’s momentum in favor of Ukraine.
Since the beginning of U.S. support, the Bradley M2A2 IFVs have proven themselves as significant assets in Ukraine's arsenal. According to open-source information, Ukraine has received approximately 100 Bradley M2A2 units from the United States, delivered in two batches: the first wave in early 2023 consisted of 50 IFVs as part of a $3.75 billion military aid package, with a second batch adding another 50 units later that year. These vehicles, taken from the U.S. military inventory, have been instrumental in enhancing the Ukrainian ground forces’ ability to engage Russian armored targets effectively.
Striking Russian supply lines holds significant strategic value for Ukrainian forces during the ongoing offensive. Disrupting these logistical routes directly hinders the Russian military's ability to sustain its frontline operations by limiting access to essential resources, such as ammunition, fuel, and reinforcements. By targeting these supply lines, Ukraine aims to create delays and shortages that can weaken the combat effectiveness of Russian units, ultimately slowing down or halting their advances. This tactic also forces Russian forces to allocate resources and personnel to defend these lines, diverting them from offensive operations and stretching their defensive capabilities. In essence, by cutting off or damaging the logistical backbone of the Russian military, Ukraine can create tactical advantages that may shift the momentum of the conflict in its favor.
The Bradley M2A2 is highly regarded for its robust armor and comprehensive armament suite, enabling it to combat a range of Russian armored vehicles, including main battle tanks. Ukrainian crews have repeatedly demonstrated proficiency with the Bradley, showcasing the vehicle’s combat superiority and resilience on the battlefield. Its ability to engage enemy forces with precision has given Ukrainian troops a substantial tactical advantage, crucial in scenarios where rapid response and versatility are required.
At the heart of the Bradley M2A2’s firepower is the 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, a staple weapon in U.S. armored fighting vehicles. Known for its reliability, the M242 is driven by a 1 hp electric motor that cycles a chain, enabling consistent firing. With a dual-feed mechanism, the chain gun allows operators to quickly switch between different types of ammunition, providing flexibility in dynamic combat scenarios. The weapon’s modular design, featuring a quick-change barrel system, supports extended combat operations by allowing rapid barrel replacement, minimizing downtime and enhancing the Bradley’s operational readiness.
The M242 Bushmaster chaingun, measuring approximately 2.58 meters in length and weighing 119 kilograms, can fire various types of ammunition suited for specific combat scenarios. The Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) rounds are particularly effective against Russian armored vehicles, delivering high-penetration capability for challenging targets like tanks. In contrast, High-Explosive Incendiary (HEI) rounds combine explosive force with incendiary effects, making them suitable for attacking unarmored vehicles, low-flying aircraft, and enemy personnel.
With a range of up to 2,500 meters, the M242’s combination of accuracy, rate of fire, and adaptability ensures it can address threats from both armored vehicles and lighter, more mobile units. Its dual-feed system, which allows quick ammunition changes, enhances its role in fast-moving and high-pressure situations. As Russian forces adapt their tactics, the flexibility of the Bradley’s armament proves vital, enabling Ukrainian forces to effectively confront evolving threats with targeted munitions.
On the battlefield, the Bradley M2A2’s design enables it to maneuver effectively and engage a variety of enemy targets with precision. Ukrainian troops have shared footage on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), showing the Bradley engaging Russian BMPs and other vehicles in combat scenarios. Ukrainian personnel have repeatedly praised the Bradley’s durability and performance in combat, emphasizing its firepower, mobility, and reliability as pivotal factors in their operations. The M2A2 has become an emblem of resistance, symbolizing Ukraine's determination and adaptability amid a complex and high-stakes battlefield environment.
As the conflict continues, the integration of U.S.-supplied Bradleys into Ukrainian tactics signals a shift toward more technologically advanced and mobile warfare. The ongoing reliance on versatile, robust equipment like the Bradley M2A2 indicates the strategic importance of high-mobility IFVs in modern warfare. In this latest engagement near Kursk Oblast, the Bradley's effectiveness is clear, underscoring its value as Ukraine leverages Western-supplied technology to counter Russian armored assets.