Ukrainian Forces Destroy Two Chechen Z-STS Akhmat Armored Vehicles in Kursk region.

On October 17, 2024, a video released on the official channel of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense showcased the destruction of two Chechen Z-STS "Akhmat" armored vehicles by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. This combat operation was executed by fighters from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade and the 103rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. One of the destroyed vehicles was intercepted by an attack drone deployed by the Strike Drone Company’s unmanned systems battalion, demonstrating the effectiveness of Ukraine’s modernized drone capabilities in targeting Russian armored assets.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Chechen Z-STS Akhmat Armored Vehicle built on a KamAZ-5350 6x6 chassis (Picture source: V. Kuzmin)

These Z-STS "Akhmat" armored vehicles, introduced in 2022, were specifically tailored for Chechen forces upon request at the beginning of the Ukraine war. Manufactured by the Remdiesel plant, the Z-STS "Akhmat" is built on a KamAZ-5350 6x6 chassis and is notable for its frame-based construction, which allows for interchangeable body types, albeit at a reduced load capacity. While lacking some of the advanced features found in Kamaz Typhoon vehicles, the Z-STS offers relative protection against 7.62 mm rounds. Additionally, its V-shaped undercarriage is designed to withstand explosions equivalent to 6 kg of TNT, providing occupants with a measure of protection against explosive impacts.

Measuring 8.43 meters in length, 2.55 meters in width, and 3.1 meters in height, the Z-STS "Akhmat" boasts significant off-road capabilities, allowing it to navigate slopes of at least 30 degrees and traverse bodies of water up to 1.75 meters deep. Powered by a 260-horsepower engine, this vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 90 km/h on roads, despite weighing up to 18,000 kg. Its roof hatch enables the installation of an Arbalet-DM module equipped with a 12.7 mm Kord machine gun and surveillance devices, enhancing its defensive capabilities.

Interest in this vehicle dates back to the beginning of the Ukraine war, when Chechen forces under the leadership of Ramzan Kadyrov placed an initial order. Remdiesel’s rapid production allowed Russian forces to deploy the Z-STS as early as May 2022, after its debut at the Grozny military parade. Since then, these vehicles have seen active combat, validating their resilience in extreme conditions and their effectiveness as armored transports.

The recent Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region carried out on the left flank of Ukrainian forces in Kursk, highlights the vulnerabilities of these vehicles to modern interception tactics, such as attack drones. The situation in the area remains tense, with Russian forces deploying substantial military resources. Analysts from DeepState have indicated that Russian troops temporarily advanced to occupy the village of Zeleny Shlyah. This village, which has been the focus of recent attacks, was also the scene of serious atrocities, where Russian soldiers committed a war crime by killing nine Ukrainian prisoners of war.

This series of events in the Kursk region underscores the growing intensity and complexity of military operations between Ukraine and Russia. Although the Z-STS "Akhmat" was built to endure the extreme conditions of warfare, it remains vulnerable to Ukraine’s evolving combat strategies, which increasingly employ modern technology and sophisticated weaponry to counter Russian armored vehicles. The destruction of these vehicles in strategic areas underscores Ukraine's ability to exploit weaknesses in enemy defenses, adapting its tactics according to the characteristics of enemy equipment.