The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread

rsemmes

Member
Chasov Yar is rare exception, it is dominating height in the area and it is downhill for huge area after that. If they lose it, they would be forced to retreat up to Slavyansk-Kramatorsk area and would still be faced with unfavorable defense terrain. It is probably the most critical point if you want to hold what is left from Donbass under Ukrainian control.
I see your point but they don't have to retreat that far. Ishevka and Maiske are still in high ground, not to mention having Kostiantinivka and O-Drushkivka (industrial complex and some blocks N. of it) in the south flank. North of Bilokuszminivka the terrain rises again, we can see some (old, I guess) trenches there.
All that if Ukraine prepares the terrain for defence. Russia did in Robotine and both are ex-Soviet armies.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
I see your point but they don't have to retreat that far. Ishevka and Maiske are still in high ground, not to mention having Kostiantinivka and O-Drushkivka (industrial complex and some blocks N. of it) in the south flank. North of Bilokuszminivka the terrain rises again, we can see some (old, I guess) trenches there.
All that if Ukraine prepares the terrain for defence. Russia did in Robotine and both are ex-Soviet armies.
Well... you don't want your front line to be your best and only line. You want to have fall back options. And Ukraine is going to be utilizing these fallback options. There's also no evidence that Ukraine is taking greater casualties then Russia in Chasov Yar. So it's a logical place to put up a very stubborn defense with no real flanking threats. Again there are situations where Ukraine fails to withdraw in a timely manner resulting in terrible outcomes. The current situation in Velikaya Novoselka is a great example, it appears to be the first substantial encirclement of Ukrainian forces since '22. Similar problems occurred during the final stages of the fighting around Artemovsk/Bakhmut, Avdeevka, Kurakhovo, etc. Right now Russia is trying to create a similar scenario around the much larger Pokrovsk metropolitan area. But in Chasov Yar Russian forces are assaulting neighborhood by neighborhood against determined resistance fighting from prepared positions. Chasov Yar and Toretsk are places where it makes sense for Ukraine to put up this kind of a fight.
 

hauritz

Well-Known Member

Last December Ukraine pulled off what could be the first all drone multi domain attack against Russian forces. The result, while not exactly game changing, is still perhaps a seminal moment in modern warfare. The attack consisted entirely of armed uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) and FPV attack drones. While the effectiveness of this attack is not known it does indicate a continuing trend of using cheap, attritable drones rather than relying on boots on the ground. More emphasis as well on counter EW with constantly shifting drone operating frequencies and AI.

I expect we will eventually see the same from the Russians leading to the possibility of battles fought almost entirely with drones.
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
Its been reported that to counter e.w, drones are now guided by as much as 40 kilometres of fibre ,,shown here to be difficult to counter it has the potential as in much of the world being largely not seen as a weapon to be of use to terrorists or assassin's
 

hauritz

Well-Known Member
Its been reported that to counter e.w, drones are now guided by as much as 40 kilometres of fibre ,,shown here to be difficult to counter it has the potential as in much of the world being largely not seen as a weapon to be of use to terrorists or assassin's
The toughness of optical fibre can vary greatly. It is about the same width as a human hair but has many times its tensile strength. How strong depends on the fibre but I imagine they would probably just use commercial grade for drones.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Velikaya Novoselka has fallen. I'll try to do an update by tomorrow, but that's really the biggest event. Russian forces are continuing to wrap around Pokrovsk from the west. They failed to take the cross road in the east, and instead are pushing northward east of there. In Toretsk Russian forces are inside the last mine complex, but the refuse mound is still in Ukrainian hands (that's the north-eastern one in the Krymskoe suburb). In Chasov Yar it appears Russia has taken the factory again but this time also has the flanks to it, and Chasov Yar is probably going to fall. Ukraine is still fighting there, but it's now a slow retreat. The Seversk salient remains quiet. On the Oskol front Russian forces continue to develop their positions across the Zherebets with some success despite Ukrainian counter-attacks. And across the Oskol Russia also expands their area of control. At this point it's likely Kupyansk will face a threat from the north-west. It's possible Russia will also try their envlopment approach there, rather then trying to assault through the town.
 

rsemmes

Member
If France is ready to send troops to Ukraine (in the future), it is also ready to send them to Greenland.

Envoi de troupes européennes
Cette initiative peut aussi être interprétée comme un gage donné aux Etats-Unis sur la sécurité dans cette région très sensible. A ce sujet, le ministre français des affaires étrangères, Jean-Noël Barrot, a déclaré mardi que l’envoi de troupes européennes pour assurer la sécurité dans l’Arctique était « une possibilité » mais qu’« elle ne se pose pas » pour le Danemark dans l’immédiat.
Robert Brieger, président du comité militaire de l’Union européenne (CMUE) a été le premier à émettre l’idée de positionner des troupes européennes au Groenland, jugeant que « cela enverrait un signal fort et contribuerait à la stabilité dans la région », dans un entretien à Welt am Sonntag publié samedi.

Of course, we haven't seen what unit has been selected and is training for the mission.

The point is that Ukraine is still fighting against corruption...

En Ukraine, polémique autour du ministre de la défense
Le ministre de la défense, Rustem Umerov, s’oppose à la reconduction de la directrice de l’Agence d’acquisition d’armement. Cette décision controversée déclenche des appels à la démission du ministre, accusé de saper les efforts contre la corruption.

Or not fighting.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

This is a long one. I was busy last week and let them pile up. The biggest change we have is that Russia's advance seems to have slowed down. After 400-600kms per month for the second half of last year I doubt January will clear 300. It's not immediately obvious why this is, and there are a few possible reasons. As always it's likely more then one factor is at play. Ukraine did deploy reinforcements, the 150th series brigades to the front. While their performance has been poor, more troops is still more troops. Russia also likely needs at least some time to regroup and refit after completing the offensive out of Avdeevka that started last February and ended, mostly, this January with the fall of Velikaya Novoselka and the collapse of the Kurakhovo area defenses. Russia is trying for the flanks of Pokrovsk more (on the west) or less (on the east) successfully. We also have signs of Russian depletion of armored vehicles in service. So far this doesn't yet represent an end to the stockpile, but it's definitely a change.

Kursk region.

Russian forces reached the outskirts of Sverdlikovo along a narrow path, no report on the fate of the attempt so far. Russian forces also pushed south-east of Zeleniy Shlyakh, but Ukrainian forces retook some positions near Viktorovka. On the east Ukrainian forces have pushed Russia out of Makhnovka and Dimitryukov completely.


Russian assault team in action throwing grenades to clear out Ukrainian positions, Kursk area.


Ukrainian forces attempted to move across the border near Tetkino, Kursk region. 3 MRAPs got hit and the attempt appears to have failed.


Russian FAB-3000 strikes in Martynovka, Kursk region.


Russian Iskander strikes near Yablonovka, Sumy region. Allegedly they hit Ukranie's 41st Mech.


Another Iskander strike on Tokari, Sumy region.


Russian strike on either a Ukrainian 2S1 in camo-netting or a decoy, Kursk area. There is a decent sized explosion afterwards but no fire.


Russian National Guard drone hits a Ukrainian pickup truck in a field, Kursk region. Note the continued proliferation of wire-guided drones across units.


Russian Lancet strike hits an M1 Abrams in Kursk near Viktorovka. At this point very few Abrams are left in Ukrainian service, though of course the arrival of the promised Ukrainian tanks would remedy this.


Russian drones take out a Ukrainian ARV that's trying to evacuate a Marder.


Russian drone hits a Ukrainian tank, type unknown, Kursk region.


Russian forces strike a rare Bgbv 90 in the Kursk border area. This is an ARV on the CV90 chassis.


Russian wire-guided drone strike on a armored Humvee with EW, a Bogdana howitzer, a Stryker, and a covered Ukrainian position.. The ultimate fate of these vehicles is unclear, we don't have BDA. What's interesting is that the drone pauses near the Stryker, picks the angle of approach, and then strikes.


Russian drone strike hits inside an M113 with an open rear hatch.


Russian wire-guided drone strike on an Oshkosh 1083 armored truck. Ukraine received ~130 of these as towing trucks for the M777 but they're being used for other reasons too.


Russian drone strike inside of a building in Kursk region and against a number of cars and pickups inside Sudzha. Once Russian drones can hunt Ukrainian vehicles going in and out of Sudzha consistently, Ukraine will have logistical difficulties.


A series of drone strikes on Ukrainian cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs.


A Ukrainian CV90 hit near Zhuravka, Sumy region, right across the border.


A Ukrainian Bradley fallen off a bridge somewhere in Kursk region.


A rare Russian Rida Buran armored truck near Zeleniy Shlyakh, presumably knocked out or destroyed.


2 destroyed Bradleys in Kursk region, the second near Novoivanovka.


A Ukrainian VAB with a drone cage burns, Kursk region.


A Ukrainian Kozak-7 burns, Kursk region.


A destroyed Russian armored UAZ van. These are normally used as cash trucks by bank security. While unimpressive by military standards, they're certainly better then completely unarmored vehicles which are the norm for frontline logistics from both sides.


Russian forces captured another M113 in Kursk region and hauling away a series of knocked out or destroyed Ukrainian vehicles near Berdin.


Ukraine's 82nd Airborne with CR-2s and Bradleys, and the 36th Marines with Pbv-302s with drone cages, Kursk area. The 82nd hasn't previously been seen with Bradleys, most notable they had Strykers and some Cougar MRAPs.


Russian VDV soldiers training in the Kursk area, before heading into the fight.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Kharkov.

It appears Russian forces re-entered the village of Tihoe. Overall this segment of the front isn't moving.


Kupyansk area.

It appears all of Dvurechnoe is now in Russian hands. Suriyakmaps isn't updating this week, and deepstate doesn't confirm yet, but other sources seem to concur. Either way most of the village is confirmed in Russian hands. The fate of Kalinovo is unclear, there were reports it was taken but confirmation is lacking. Russian forces are expanding their area of control around Dvurechnoe and around Zapadnoe, whose fate is also currently unclear.


Russian forces strike a Ukrainian 2S1 near Kupyansk.


A Ukrainian tank getting destroyed in the Kupyansk area by a Russian drone strike.


Russian Kub strike on allegedly a Ukrainian staging area. Note while the effectiveness of such strikes is limited (small munition against a large building), over a continuous period of time they add up.


Oskol front.


Near Peschanoe Russian forces have taken the village of Nadiya. This is the second time Russian troops attempt to take it, but this time they have a large salient north of it and have already pushed past the village. Russian forces have also entered Novoegorovka, south of there. Near Zagryzovo Russian forces have taken some fields east of it. Northward Russian forces have retaken parts of Kolesnikovka.


Russian strikes on Ukrainian positions near Zeleniy Gay, south of the Peschanoe salient.


Russian forces continue to expand their area of control around Makeevka. Across the Zherebets near Terny Russian forces have drastically expanded their area of control, firmly grasping several crossing points along berms, and taking the village of Belogorovka. Russian forces took the heights above the village of Kolodezi, but were pushed partially back by a Ukrainian counter-attack.


Russian Grad fires on the Krasniy Liman axis. Note the anti-drone team, this one with a PKM on a tall tripod and a jammer. The truck here is not up-armored, though it has drone cages on top.


Chasov Yar.


South of Chasov Yar Russian forces continue to push into the forest where reporetdly a major Ukrainian strongpoint lies. On the north side of Chasov Yar Russian forces have pushed through the town and reached the cemetery on the western outskirts. Inside Chasov Yar Russian forces have pushed south of the factory taking the stadium and now hold the factory. They've also taken the last neighborhood in the east, north of the forest.


Russian Molniya drone strikes in Chasov Yar.


Russian assault shed on a BMP-2 this time. Note the wires on the outside intended to knock down drones. They've a new trend being used actively by both sides.


Russian forces inside the Chasov Yar factory complex.


Toretsk.

Russian forces have entered the last mine complex in Krymskoe, and are in control of most of the village. Ukrainian forces appear to still hold the refuse mound and the north-eastern outskirts. In the villages west of it, Russian forces continue to slowly advance in Scherbinovka, and have taken all of Leonidovka.


Russian drone strike appears to have hit a Ukrainian tank, pickup truck, a YPR-765 with the new RCWS on it, two SUVs, and an Avenger SAM near Toretsk. It's interesting that the drone watches the tank execute it's fires, and then follows it for some time.


Russian drones strike a M113, Varta, and a pickup truck.


Russian strike on allegedly a Ukrainian D-30 near Dyleevka, north of Toretsk. Note while we can't really tell what's getting hit, it does appear to be an artillery piece.


Ukraine's 111th TerDefBde with an improvised MLRS on a Humvee near Toretsk.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Pokrovsk.

Russian forces have taken Kotlino and the industrial areas around it. Russian forces are penetrating inside Udachnoe, though there are Ukrainian counter-attacks and it's not clear Russia firmly holds any part of the village. Russian forces have started wrapping around the village from the east and south. On the western side Russian forces are contesting the villages of Nadeevka and Novoandreevka. On the east of Mirnograd Russian forces have started pushing across a wide area after failing to take the key junction north of Vozdvizhenka. The village of Baranovka has fallen. Half of Zverovoe and Uspenovka are under Russian control.


Russian FAB strikes landing in Pokrovsk.


Ukrainian VAB and T-80BV hit near Pokrovsk.


Russian drone strikes near Pokrovsk on Ukrainian positions and a Leo-1A5. I can't tell if we've seen the last one before but the look at Ukrainian positions is interesting. They're built very open and not concealed.


Allegedly Russian drone finished off a Ukrainian BTR-70 near Pokrovsk.


Interesting Russian wire-guided drone strikes near Pokrovsk, one hits a mortar (or a decoy) but the other hits what appears to be a real L-119 howitzer, in an underground shelter. One advantage of such drones is their precision, even above and beyond what a normal FPV drone can do.


Russian Kub-2 loitering munition strike against allegedly a 2S22 Bogdana.


Ukrainian forces have blown the intersection bridges east of Mirnograd. Presumably they don't hope to be able to reopen the road for traffic.


A destroyed Ukrainian Dingo 2 MRAP near Pokrovsk, village of Veseliy Gay.


There are reports Ukraine's 157th Bde is facing issues with personnel and performance in the Pokrovsk area. The 150th series brigades in general seem to be in poor shape.


Ukrainian Leo-2A4s near Pokrovsk.


Russian UAZ van near the front line.


Ukraine apparently set fire to the mine buildings at Beletskaya mine complex north of Pokrovsk. It's possible this was also a result of a Russian strike, but no inbounds were reported. It's located pretty far behind the battle lines so it's unclear why it's burning.


Kurakhovo.

Kurakhovo itself has fallen and fighting is west of the town now but this is the best name for this area especially since nothing of substance lies west of it for quite some distance. Russian forces have entered Dachnoe, and are expanding their control along the Sukhie Yaly river south of it. North-west of there Russian forces have cut the road north of Andreevka, after being repulsed by the Ukrainian strong-point on the road east out of it. There are also reports that Russia has broken into north-eastern Andreevka. South of Konstantipol' Ukraine launched a counter-attack but it was reversed. Positions remain the same.


Russian VT-40 drone burns down a Ukrainian Oshkosh M-ATV south-west of Kurakhovo.


Russian strike on a bridge in Konstantipol'.


A knocked out Kozak-2 west of Dachnoe.


Russian soldier poses with a knocked out BOV-M near Kupyansk.


Velikaya Novoselka.


Velikaya Novoselka has fallen. There's no signs of large scale Ukrainian surrenders suggesting Ukrainian elements slipped out right as the pocket closed, likely with substantial casualties, given the terrain.


Russian infantry moving through Velikaya Novoselka.


Allegedly 4 Ukrainian POWs taken in Velikaya Novoselka.


An interesting video taken allegedly near Velikaya Novoselka where I think 3 Ukrainian POWs are taken after a Russian soldier talks them into surrendering, explaining that they are surrounded.


2 more POWs captured allegedly north of Velikaya Novoselka.


Russian strikes inside Velikaya Novoselka, 2nd link allegedly against a Ukrainian drone operators position.


Russian drones double-tap a Ukrainian vehicle near Velikaya Novoselka.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Zaporozhye.

Allegedly a Russian drone strike on a Ukrainian BMP-2. The crew appears to either die in the blasts, or on the minefield (last survivor at the end). Note we don't have good PID on the vehicle type or tactical symbols.


Russian FPV drone strikes north of Orekhov. Note the range of drones is extending and the near rear areas are becoming more dangerous for both sides. These strikes took place in Preobrazhenka.


Dnepr front.

Kub-2 loitering munitions striking Ukrainian boats in Kherson region.


Russian wire-guided drone hits a Ukrainian SUV underneath the Antonov bridge.


3 FAB-500s hit the area of the Antonov bridge. There have been reported Russian raiding parties in the area previously, but despite earlier reports it appears no real cross-Dnepr effort is happening at this stage.


New Russian Kub-2 loitering munitions being used in Kherson region.


Russian Giatsint-B positions on the Dnepr front.


Russian Tunguska and Tor-M2 on the Dnepr front. Note the Tor is carrying those extra armor plates on the side from the factory and an improvised drone cage over the front.


Russian infantry in Kherson region training with small boats.


Black Sea/Crimea.


Fires from Ukrainian unmanned boats including allegedly a VAMPIRE air defense system.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Strikes.

Russian strikes landing in Kiev. Multiple areas were hit. 3rd link allegedly shows an Iskander strike. Note these are photos from at least two different waves of strikes. We also have reports of interruptions of water to houses.


A Russian drone hit an apartment building in Kiev and another the Lukyanovskaya subway station.


In Kiev Russia hit the Artem factory, damaging a nearby shopping center.


Russian strikes on Chernigov.


Russian Shahed strikes on Dnepropetrovsk, targets unclear.


Russian drones hit a substation in Zaporozhye, near the Motor Sich factory. Blackouts were reported afterwards.


Russian strikes on the Motor Sich factory with what appear to be ballistic missiles, presumably Iskanders.


Battle damage at the Motor Sich factory in Zaporozhye. Note I'm not sure about the second link, allegedly it's the ruins of the production facility there.


Battle damage at the Ivchenko-Progress metalworks, in the same complex of buildings as the Motor Sich plant.


Russia hit an aviation college in Krivoy Rog with allegedly Iskanders. Ukrainian sources suggest the building wasn't in use. Which may be true, in the sense that the college wasn't using it. But a large unused building part of a university complex would also be a good place to stage troops or equipment.


Russian strikes in Cherkasy caused blackouts.


Battle damage after a Russian strike in Nikolaev, target unclear.


A large Russian strike in Odessa region. In Odessa they allegedly hit the Shkolniy airfield, a repair facility for aircraft engines, a hangar at an airbase where allegedly spare parts were kept, fuel storage tanks, and a NASAMS radar. In Chernomorsk they allegedly hit objects of port infrastructure. In Yuzhniy they allegedly hit fuel storage, and rail yard facilities.


Russian Shaheds striking Odessa, as seen from Romania.


Fragments of a Kub-2 loitering munition at a Kharkov substation.


A Russian Italmas drone that crashed in Ukraine shows number 126, suggesting very few of these have been built so far.


Based on a recent tail fin of a Russian Shahed drone, Russia has started producing a new series of the drone, and is at least 213 examples into this run.


Ukraine hit the Kreminy El factory in Bryansk, a major manufacturer of electronics, causing a temporary work stoppage. Reportedly 6 UAVs hit the factory on Jan 24th.


Ukrainian strikes hit the Ryazan oil refinery and Novoryazanskaya power plant, amount of damage is unclear but it appears substantial. 12 explosions are reported. At least one of the drones fell on a residential house.


Ukrainian strikes in Bryansk region possibly on the Druzhba pipeline pumping station.


Battle damage in Donetsk after allegedly a HIMARS strike. The target is unclear and I don't see evidence of the munition type.


Ukrainian small planes converted into drones attacked Smolensk, at least one was downed and at least one other hit a residential building and a third reportedly fell near a clinic, unclear if downed or failed.


Ukraine hit a fuel storage facility in Liski, Voronezh region. Note the facility was equipped with anti-drone cages but they clearly didn't help.


Ukraine hit an oil refinery near Nizhniy Novgorod causing substantial damage. Fires burn.


Ukraine attempted to hit the aviation factory in Kazan, allegedly no damage was caused.


Ukraine hit two fuel storage facilities, in Kaluga and Tula regions, causing considerable damage.


Ukraine hit a school in Bekhetery, Kherson region. Note with population often gone, schools are routinely used for military purposes in this war.


Ukrainian operators preparing An-196 Lyutiy UAVs for a mission. It's unclear if Antonov had anything actually to do with this system.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Interesting bits.

A fascinating video, 3 minutes long but very sped up. It shows Russia's 4th Motor-Rifles operating an assault shed in a manner that betrays its real purpose. It's an H-IFV, doing front-line resupply, CASEVAC and fire support. This video raises a real question, should Russia design an H-IFV built around this sort of concept? Or is this something peculiar to this conflict? It certainly makes the T-15 look very attractive, assuming it can survive drone impacts.


A destroyed Russian BTR-50 with a BTR-70 turret installed. A few of these vehicles recently showed up in the war zone with drone roofs. In the 2nd/3rd link we have a BTR-50 with a BTR-70 turret. It might be the same vehicle.


A destroyed Caesar howitzer with drone cages. For a while these systems were practically uncatchable, but that time has ended, likely with both the proliferation of drones and the extension of their range. Nonetheless this remains one of the most capable artillery systems in this war.


Russian forces evacuating damaged vehicles. As the Soviet storage facilities run lower and as Russian forces advance over areas where they were previously fighting there are more and more available vehicles to evacuate. These will become an important resource in Russian efforts to provide armored vehicles to the front. Obviously repairing damaged vehicles will in general be slower then pulling vehicles from storage.


A creative use of a BTR-D as a improvised bridge. Note this implies a lack of proper bridgelayers.


Several Leo-2A4s and an AMX-10RC of the 155th Mech Bde, somewhere in a rear area. Since the scandal surrounding the unit broke, it's unclear what it's ultimate fate will be.


Ukraine's 159th Mech with M-55S tanks, handed over to them from the 5th Tanks.


Ukraine's 24th Mech with mine-laying artillery shells.


Ukraine's 37th Marines with a GOAT Atlas APC.


Ukraine's 46th Airborne with a Husky TSV uparmored against drones.


Meanwhile we have allegedly Ukraine's first home-produced 155mm shells.


Ukraine's Azov bde with a captured T-80U upgraded with Russian ERA tiles and side-skirts.


A look at Ukrainian Leo-2 decoy production.


Ukraine's UAV forces are forming a new 9th Bde, with a mech btln from the 59th Mech serving as the nucleus. Previously there were news that the 59th Mech itself was transferred to the UAV forces and was renamed into the 59th Assault Bde. In general there has been much written on potential "UAV Brigades" based on the lessons of this conflict, units with a very small infantry component but a very heavy UAS component.


Ukraine's 425th Assault Btln Skala is now an Assault Rgt of the same number, and has received Leo-1A5s.


A Ukrainian Bergenpanzer 2 covered in K-1 tiles.


A Ukrainian MT-LBu with a Parus combat module. The post calls it a BMP-1LB, but I'm not sure if that's a real name.


Among all this excitement with Archers and Caesars, more modest systems should not be forgotten. Here are US made M101 and Soviet KS-19s in Ukrainian service. Note we've seen KS-19s mounted on trucks before to turn them self-propelled, but these are still towed.


There are reports that Ukraine is sending the L'vov military band to the front line. Presumably not for a concert.


Satellite imagery suggests that Russia has apparently been using the rail line near Avdeevka for running supplies almost all the way up to the front almost immediately after taking Ocheretino.


An interesting looking T-90M with an unusual roof cage and EW on top of it.


Russian MT-LB converted to carry ATGMs with a new superstructure added, presumably to fire from. I always thought these sorts of vehicles were an anachronism, but maybe they're useful in this war afterall.


Russian soldier poses with an upgraded Kornet variant, this one with 8 km range.


A Russian T-72B3 with wire armor. This seems to be the next trend for drone defense. These kinds of wires don't prevent turret movement, and if the prove to be effective could see a reduction in the construction of tank sheds.


We have continued sighting of armored panels added to otherwise unarmored trucks. Here we have a Grad and a trooper with a shotgun, protecting him from drones and a Kamaz. Note this isn't an improvisation but rather factory made kits and specific to the vehicle type.


An older photo of a Russian MRAP with an improvised dozer blade in front of it. It's a good illustration, where Russia can and does produce decent MRAPs (and other vehicles) but doesn't always produce the necessary kit to support the use.


Another Sarmat armored car in Russian service. It appears the deliveries were more then just a small one-time batch.


A Russian BTR-MDM carrying an air defense command post for a Strela-10NM battery for the VDV. Unlike the Land Forces, the VDV received a relatively number of improved command and control vehicles pre-war. It's possible deliveries are continuing during the war, the BTR-MDM is still in production.


Russia's BARS-2 reservist unit shows off their own production of anti-drone rounds. If they're effective, this is the sort of thing that needs to be done at the defense industry level, but instead we have what we have.


A look at a BTR-82A with the anti-drone wires.


More trains of DPRK artillery moving through Russia. We still don't have good confirmation if it's DPRK forces using the artillery or if the DPRK is supplying them to Russia.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
A look at the Gravehawk SAM in Ukrainian service.


There are reports Ukraine has received 6 VAB Mk3 APCs from France.


Reportedly the US sent 90 ex-Israeli Patriot missiles to Ukraine.


An interesting report, it seems Denmark purchased some 2S1s for Ukraine somewhere. While not as impressive as more modern systems, they are easy to operate, Ukraine has experience with the type, and needs to replace losses.


There is a report that a Polish company will upgrade 150 BTR-70s for Ukraine with new engines, doors like a BTR-80, new NVGs, thermals, and navigation systems. Allegedly Ukraine's 151st Mech already received the first ones. It's unclear where they're sourcing the BTR-70s, they could be Ukrainian vehicles but more likely they're sourced elsewhere.


There are reports that the US will supply 900 M113s and 300 M113 MEDEVAC variants to Ukraine, and will replace them 1 for 1 with AMPV vehicles domestically. Allegedly the plans come from early January so it's unclear if these plans are still in effect. One thing I can state is that this is the kind of volume of aid Ukraine needs to realistically stay in the fight. It remains to be seen what kinds of timelines we can expect.


There's a report that Ukraine and Russian exchanged 25 heavily wounded POWs.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
I have a question regarding the naming convention. Is this a "Franken Sam' or a 'Grave Hawk'? I thought GraveHawks were MM-23 Hawks that were upgraded.
I doubt there is a publicly available official naming convention. FrankenSAM seems to be a general term for anything that's merging missiles and TELARs that weren't really supposed to work together. So western missiles on Buks? FrankenSAM. AA missiles on a truck TEL? FrankenSAM. It's labeled a Gravehawk in the original post but to be honest, I don't really know for sure what the term refers to. If you have something that shows a clear classification and nomenclature, I would love to see it.
 

T.C.P

Well-Known Member
If you have something that shows a clear classification and nomenclature, I would love to see it.
i dont think any official classification exists, the names are just the ones banded out by Twitter OSINT, but are nw even used by proper news sources.

Frankensam was the first of these terms that became popular and as you mentioned it was for any ad hoc mixture of different launchers with different missiles. The name Gravehawk is more recent and I thought that due to naming similarity and due to the very old age of the MM-23 Hawks, it was used for any sort of MM-23 Hawks (and it various modifications) in Ukraine.
 

Bob53

Well-Known Member
Reports on NK casualties in Kursk.

Ukrainian drone hunting

Some close in tank fighting
 
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