Ukraine Destroys Russian UR-77 Demining Vehicle in a Night Attack.

Ukrainian soldiers have released a video showing the step-by-step destruction of a Russian UR-77 "Meteorite" demining vehicle. The enemy engineering equipment was eliminated during a night attack carried out with a drone. The mission was executed by the crew of the "Heavenly Mara" strike drone battalion of the 43rd Separate Mechanized Brigade (OMB).
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The destruction of the Russian UR-77 "Meteorite" demining vehicle in the Kharkiv region in June 2024. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)

The Russian demining vehicle was reportedly detected and destroyed in the village of Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region. The occupiers hoped to use this specialized equipment to attack the heavily mined Ukrainian defense line. After detecting the enemy equipment, a heavy Ukrainian drone, which typically operates at night, dropped a TM-62 anti-tank mine on the Russian UR-77. This mine was specially modified for use with drones and explodes upon impact.

The destruction of the Russian UR-77 "Meteorite" demining vehicle in the Kharkiv region in June 2024 was captured on video by the "Heavenly Mara" 43 OMB. "Our night bomber crew 'Korax' hit an important target – the UR-77 'Meteorite.' It turns out it burns just as well as other enemy equipment," reported the Ukrainian military.

These drones are called "Baba Yaga" by the Russian occupiers. They inflict losses in equipment and personnel and strike at fortifications. As a result of the strike, the Russian "Meteorite" demining vehicle exploded and caught fire. However, it is unclear whether the crew was also destroyed or if they managed to escape the vehicle. In the final images before the explosion, the crew can be seen fleeing, but it is uncertain if they were neutralized.

They used an FPV drone equipped with a thermal camera, allowing them to strike the UR-77 "Meteorite" at night while it was moving along the road.

The UR-77 "Meteorite" is a self-propelled, lightly armored, tracked, amphibious demining vehicle designed to create passages through minefields. It is based on the chassis of the 2S1 "Gvozdika" self-propelled howitzer and has been produced in series since 1978. The chassis houses two launch guides for DM-140 type rockets and compartments with UZP-77 or UZP-67 detonating cables.

This vehicle, weighing 15,500 kg, is armed either with a 7.62 mm machine gun or the MDK-3 mine-clearing system. Its armament is designed to create secure passages through minefields using linear demining charges.

The "Meteorite" provides effective protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters, ensuring the safety of its crew and the continuity of its mission in hostile environments. However, the vehicle is not well-suited to modern warfare and the extensive use of drones in this conflict, which is why it can be seen equipped with partial cage armor. Due to its mechanism, a full cage armor is not feasible, and the Ukrainians have exploited this weakness.

It is equipped with various combat systems, such as radio communication systems, night and day vision devices, a fire suppression system, and NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protection, ensuring its functionality and crew safety in various combat conditions.

With a maximum speed of 62 km/h, the UR-77 can move quickly on the battlefield. It also has a range of 500 km, allowing it to cover long distances without frequent refueling. The vehicle is operated by a crew of two and has compact dimensions with a length of 7.86 m, a width of 2.85 m, and a height of 2.53 m, facilitating its maneuverability in various environments. These characteristics make the UR-77 "Meteorite" an essential tool for military demining operations.

While this destruction is not a game-changer, it is interesting to see the methodology the Ukrainians used to destroy the vehicle. Additionally, it is evident that not all vehicles are suited to receive effective cage armor, yet these remain crucial on the battlefield given the number of mines used in the conflict.

UR-77 Russian mine-clearing engineer tracked armored vehicle. ( Picture Source: Vitaly V.Kuzmin)