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Ukraine - Russia Invasion conflict
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On August 3, 2023, a video was published on Telegram showing for the first time a Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 tank hit by a Russian Lancet drone. This shows once again that the Russian army is intensifying the use of Lancet drones to primarily target modern equipment provided by European countries and allies of Ukraine.
According to a tweet from Getty on July 3, 2023, the Ukrainian 44th Mechanized Brigade has announced the delivery of Polish Rosomak APCs, however, upon examining the images, it becomes evident that the vehicles are actually Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) variants equipped with a turret armed with a 30mm chain gun and a 7.62mm machine gun. This type of error could have been easily avoided if the distinctions between APC and IFV variants were kept in mind.
According to a tweet from Poderio Militar dated August 2, 2023, a captured MT-LB was spotted, but today, our focus is on the vehicle that was towing it, another captured Russian vehicle, the BPM-97. This capture gives us the opportunity to shed some light on it, so let's dive in.
According to an article from ArmyInform on August 2, 2023, the Ukrainian forces are utilizing the BAT-2 in the Donetsk region. The BAT-2 is an engineering bulldozer with the additional capability to function as an artillery tractor. This vehicle has proven crucial for the Ukrainian defenders, as it aids in clearing roads for evacuating the wounded and transporting provisions and ammunition.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly destroyed a 9S36 radar a vital element of the Russian BUK-M2 air defense missile system. A video released by "OSINTTechnical" on Twitter on July 31, 2023, revealed the destruction of the Russian 9S36 Low Altitude Acquisition and Engagement Radar. This incident underscores the escalating efforts of Ukrainian forces to neutralize Russian air defenses, a strategy deemed critical for the protection and control of Ukrainian airspace.
On July 29, 2023, according to a tweet from OSINTdefender, it was reported that Russian forces captured a Swedish CV9040 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) near the city of Kreminna, Ukraine, marking the first visually confirmed loss of its kind during the ongoing conflict in the region. The captured CV9040 is armed with one 40mm Bofors Autocannon and the "Barracuda" Camouflage Kit.
According to an article published by the ISW on July 31, 2023, Belarus and Iran have been exploring the possibility of an agreement for the production of Shahed drones. This development could have significant implications for the region and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
According to a video published on the Twitter account "Ukraine Weapons Tracker" on August 1, 2023, Russian forces have destroyed the first Ukrainian IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system using Lancet-3 loitering munition. Citing information published by the German Ministry of Defense, the Ukrainian army has already received 2 IRIS-T SLM as well as air surveillance radar TRML-4D.
According to a France24 article on July 30, 2023, Ukrainian volunteers have successfully developed an affordable surface-to-surface cruise missile known as Trembita, aimed at overpowering Russian air defenses. It represents Ukraine's first domestically developed cruise missile and has earned the nickname "people's missile."
According to an article from The EurAsian Times on July 30, 2023, Ukraine recently launched two modified S-200 anti-aircraft missiles towards southwestern Russia, potentially indicating an escalation in missile attacks within Russian territory. This article aims to examine the potential advantages and disadvantages of employing these modified surface-to-air missile systems for engaging ground-based targets.
According to an article published by Politico on July 27, 2023, the United States is anticipated to begin delivering Abrams tanks to Ukraine in September. The tanks are intended to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities as it continues its counteroffensive efforts to reclaim territory from invading Russian forces.
On July 27, 2023, a tweet from Hans Kristensen revealed that satellite imagery had exposed a newly constructed garage facility suspected of housing the Iskander-M missile launchers received from Russia, which are allegedly capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
On July 25, 2023, War Monitor tweeted about the sighting of a notable Russian equipment echelon advancing towards Ukraine, based on information from Russian sources. The echelon's composition was further elaborated by AFV Recognition, identifying some rare vehicles in the convoy. Along with a T-80BV main battle tank, these include a very rare VT-72 ARV (Armored Recovery Vehicle) based on the T-72 chassis, one very rare GT-MU light armored multipurpose transport vehicle and one BTS-4A ARV based on the T-44M.
According to a tweet from War Noir on July 23, 2023, a Turkish-made RDS40-MGL 40 mm multiple grenade launcher has been spotted in service with the Ukrainian military.
In a tweet, NOEL reports on July 25, 2023, that a Russian R-330Zh Zhitel mobile electronic warfare system was located by a Ukrainian drone. Following this, the Ukrainian artillery carried out precision strikes, guided by the drone, resulting in the reported destruction of the Russian electronic warfare system. Remarkably, this marks the third reported instance of a Russian electronic warfare system being destroyed on the same day.
The Sirko unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), proudly manufactured in Ukraine by Kharkiv engineers, has successfully entered mass production, and the company is gearing up to unveil its second version, as reported by Ukrinform.
According to a video published by the Command of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on July 25, 2023, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) tracked 9 enemy targets, including two crucial Russian electronic warfare systems, one Tirade jamming system, and one Leer-2 mobile electronic warfare system.
On July 24, 2023, Spain sent a new shipment of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The delivery, consisting of various equipment and vehicles, including 4 Leopard 2A4 tanks, is expected to arrive in early August and will contribute to the strengthening of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to a video published on Telegram on July 23, 2023, Ukrainian soldiers of the K-2 combat group of the Ukrainian 54th separate mechanized brigade destroyed with a kamikaze drone one 2S4 Tyulpan 240mm self-propelled mortar, one of the most powerful artillery systems of the Russian armed forces and the most efficient mortar system in the world, which has no equivalent in the world.
According to a Telegram post by NMFTE on July 22, 2023, a Ukrainian M2A2 Bradley, equipped with the BRAT (Bradley Reactive Armour Tiles) dynamic protection kit, is used in a counteroffensive against Russian positions near the city of Zaporizhzhia, in southeast Ukraine.
According to a tweet posted by PraiseTheSteph on July 20, 2023, the Ukrainian Army has conducted training exercises with the latest generation of locally-made 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), the BTR-4MV1. This vehicle, used by the 5th Brigade of the National Guard, represents an upgraded version of the BTR-4 model, boasting enhanced weapon systems and improved armor.
According to a video published on Telegram on July 23, 2023, finally, the Ukrainian army use conventional military tactics using American Bradley M2A2 tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicles with Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) in a counteroffensive against Russian positions near the city of Zaporizhzhia, in southeast Ukraine. As a former NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) in an infantry mechanized battalion and CEO of Army Recognition Group, I explain in this article, the underlying principle of most modern military tactics which is a concept known as combined arms.
On July 22, 2023, Ukrainian paratroopers explained the combat capabilities of the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) in a newly published video. The MBTs, generously donated by the British Government, offer considerable advantages on the modern battlefield, especially in the face of tanks deployed by Russian armed forces.
According to a tweet by OSINTtechnical on July 15, 2023, Ukrainian forces from the 33rd Mechanized Brigade were seen operating a Leopard 2A4 tank fitted with Kontakt-1 Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). Let's take a closer look at the capabilities of these two components.
Based on recent Twitter posts, it is believed that Ukraine employed an S-200 anti-aircraft missile to target an unspecified location within the Bryansk Oblast, Ukraine. It is presumed that the Ukrainians have been modifying these missiles for use against ground targets.
