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Ukraine - Russia Invasion conflict
 
 
 
 

As reported by Ukrinform on October 5, 2023, Canadian military trainers have been actively engaged in imparting tactical urban warfare skills to Ukrainian defenders as part of Operation UNIFIER. The 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, representing the Canadian Armed Forces, demonstrated their proficiency in tactical urban warfare during Rotation 16. These training exercises took place in the southeast of England, offering Ukrainian recruits valuable insights and expertise. Operation UNIFIER, an initiative by the Canadian Armed Forces, has been dedicated to supporting Ukraine's Security Forces.

As reported by Praise the Steph on September 30, 2023, Ukraine has recently expanded its military capabilities through the reception of numerous ex-British Army FV432 armored personnel carriers (APCs) from the United Kingdom and various non-governmental organizations. These FV432 vehicles, which belong to the FV430 family, have been put into active service with the 22nd Special Purpose Battalion of the Ukrainian Separate Presidential Brigade, featuring the 2021 standard pixel camouflage pattern.

As reported by the Odessa Journal, Nibulon has announced on its website the delivery of the initial unit of the GCS-200 tracked demining platform, courtesy of Swiss company Global Clearance Solutions. Nibulon is set to receive a total of four of these cutting-edge demining machines, with each capable of clearing an area equivalent to a football field in a single day. Their primary purpose is to eliminate explosive threats, restore agricultural land for economic purposes, and ensure the safety of civilian infrastructure.

On October 3, 2023, as reported by Chuck Pfarrer, Ukraine reportedly employed another affordable FPV drone to target and destroy a Russian military asset, specifically a BM-21 Grad rocket launcher. Modern warfare is currently undergoing a substantial transformation, exemplified by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as the Ukrainian military has effectively incorporated First Person View (FPV) kamikaze drones into their operations. This strategic shift carries significant implications for military strategy, technological advancements, and new challenges on the battlefield, as evidenced by numerous articles on our website.

According to ABC Australia on October 2, 2023, Electro Optic Systems (EOS), an Australian defense company, has recently completed the production of its Slinger anti-drone systems intended for use in Ukraine. As previously reported on September 8, 2023, EOS is poised to supply Ukraine with a total of 160 Slinger anti-drone systems. Among these, 110 units are designated for mounting on M113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), while the remaining 50 will be installed on Bushmaster APCs by the Ukrainian firm Praktyka.

As reported by Ouest France on September 30, 2023, the French company CEFA (Conception et Études de Fabrication d'Armements) is set to supply Ukraine with 8 EFAs (Engin de Franchissement de l’Avant - Frontal Breaching Engine) self-propelled pontoon bridges and 8 SDZ mine clearance vehicles. These systems, sourced from the former engineer park, will be soon delivered. Ukraine has previously received a range of AVLB (armored vehicle-launched bridge) vehicles, including 34 Biber vehicles (29 from Germany and 5 from the Netherlands), 2 M-3 Bridge and Ferry systems from the Netherlands, and 18 M60 AVLB vehicles from the United States.

According to the French Ministry of Defense (MoD) on September 30, 2023, France, in collaboration with defense company Nexter, a part of KNDS, will provide Ukraine with six additional CAESAR 6x6 155mm self-propelled howitzers. These new additions are set to supplement the existing fleet of 18 CAESARs, previously delivered by the French army, and the 12 units directly acquired by Ukraine from KNDS. In addition to these, Ukraine has also received 19 CAESAR 8x8, which were supplied by Denmark.

According to La Croix on September 28, 2023, Ukraine recently held a two-day defense industry exhibition in Kyiv on September 27th and 28th, 2023. The event aimed to attract foreign investments to enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities. A significant outcome was the French Arquus Defense's commitment to establish a repair workshop in Ukraine, primarily focusing on maintaining and refurbishing French-made Véhicules de l'Avant Blindés (VAB) armored vehicles supplied to Ukraine, with the goal of ensuring their long-term operational readiness.

According to information on Russian social media on September 26, 2023, to address the challenges posed by unexploded ordnance in the territory of Ukraine currently controlled by Russia, the DST-Ural factory in Chelyabinsk constructed the MT-1 remote-controlled mine clearance vehicle, utilizing the chassis of a standard tracked loader, the PG-20. This prototype was developed in August 2022 to conduct mine-clearing operations in the Donetsk region, which has been heavily affected by the use of mines since the onset of the war, as noted by Sergei Bytsenko, CEO of "Special-Purpose Engineering Machines."

According to a tweet by Patricia Marins dated September 27, 2023, Omsktransmash, a Russian defense company, has ramped up production of T-80BVM main battle tanks. This is part of a broader initiative where the company has taken approximately 180 old T-80 tanks from depots for modernization. The company plans to deliver these upgraded units throughout the year, releasing them in batches of 20 to 30 units every 40 to 60 days.

According to Serhiy Prytula on September 27, 2023, Ukrainian soldiers associated with the Mutant group, a unit that is part of the Security Service of Ukraine, have employed crowdfunded First Person View (FPV) drones to neutralize a Russian BMP-T Terminator Fire Support Combat Vehicle near the village of Spartak in the Donetsk region, a region known for being the scene of night-time operations by these by these heavily armed vehicles.

In a recent video circulating on the social media platform Telegram, a German-made Marder 1A3 tracked armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) donated by Germany to Ukraine appears to have been hit by a missile or to have run over a mine on the frontline. Remarkably, due to the robust armor of the Marder 1A3, the crew and accompanying infantrymen emerged unscathed.

On September 25, 2023, information shared on Russian social media revealed that Russians had initiated the dissemination of guidelines and strategies for exploiting potential vulnerabilities in American-made Abrams Tanks. These guidelines include specific instructions on where to target the tank and which weapons to employ, such as the Kornet anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). This development came just after the anonymous confirmation of the presence of US-supplied M1A1 Abrams tanks in Ukraine, which were likely to participate in Ukrainian counteroffensive operations.

On September 25, 2023, as reported by The New York Times, a pair of US officials, speaking under the condition of anonymity due to the absence of formal announcements, confirmed the delivery and the presence of an undisclosed quantity of M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks in Ukraine. This revelation follows an earlier Army Recognition report from August 8, 2023, which outlined the initial delivery of Abrams tanks during the early autumn season. The tanks in question are of the older ex-U.S. Marine Corps M1A1 variants, chosen for their quicker availability compared to the more modern A2 iteration.

According to Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, on September 21, 2023, the Ukrainian Armed Forces initiated field testing of the Ironclad unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). This versatile UGV will perform a range of combat missions, including storming enemy positions, reconnaissance operations, and delivering military fire support. Central to its capabilities is the Shablya M2 combat module, equipped with a thermal imaging camera for enhanced situational awareness.

On September 20th, 2023, social media was abuzz with a video that appeared to capture cruise missiles soaring over Crimea. The missiles depicted in the video closely resemble the Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG air-to-ground missile. During this event, missiles targeted and struck the Russian Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in Crimea, coinciding with a leadership meeting.

On September 22, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense authorized the operational deployment of the "ShaBlya" remote-controlled combat module within the ranks of the Armed Forces, as reported by Militarnyi. This combat module is adaptable to a range of weaponry and can be affixed to various vehicles, including small Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs).

According to Dárek pro Putina on September 21, 2023, its crowdfunding campaign, which commenced on May 8, 2023, with the goal of delivering a Bozena-5 demining system to Ukraine, reached its fundraising target. This achievement comes as a significant step in addressing the pressing issue of landmines in Ukraine, with the campaign amassing a total of 650,216 € to support this cause.

On September 21, 2023, the Swedish Ministry of Defense officially confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have received ten Stridsvagn 122 tanks. This development follows the decision, made on February 24, 2023, to donate these tanks to Ukraine. Preparations for this donation, including the training of Ukrainian personnel in the operation of Swedish tanks, were already underway at the Army Staff in Enköping.

The Ukrainian company STE (Spets Techno Export) recently unveiled a new drone, an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that goes by the name "Punisher." The Punisher drone stands out as a high-precision alternative to long-range artillery or missile systems, designed to effectively neutralize enemy targets at distances of up to 45 kilometers. What sets this UAS apart is its exceptional ability to deliver precise strikes on the first shot, complete with a reliable prediction of the impact location. This feature plays a crucial role in minimizing the potential risks of collateral damages in the vicinity.

According to Autoevolution on September 15, 2023, a Spanish 6x6 BMR-600 VRAC (Contaminated Areas Reconnaissance Vehicle), one of only three known vehicles in existence, has been identified in active service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Originally designed for reconnaissance missions in highly contaminated areas, particularly those tainted by nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) threats, this exceptionally rare BMR-600 VRAC has undergone a conversion, transforming it into an armored medical evacuation vehicle.

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