Russo-Ukrainian War: War Booty Near Kharkiv

     Ukrainian troops outside Kharkiv collect weapons and equipment from a destroyed Russian column. Besides looking for intelligence information in the wrecked vehicles, it is certain that any usable weapons and ammunition that is captured will be turned around and used against the Russians. Since there is commonality between some Russian and Ukrainian weapons, such captured guns can be used to replace inoperable ones as well as bolster the inventory of available weapons and ammunition.

     The captured weapons here include a 12.7mm Kord machine-gun in its vehicle mount configuration. The large box is for the 9M131 anti-tank missile used with the Russian Metis-M system. NATO code-named AT-13 “Saxhorn”, Metis-M is used by both Russia and Ukraine. There is what appears to be some form of disposable anti-tank weapon though it is difficult to say which make as much of it is covered up. Laying on top of the launch tube are two rockets for the RPG-7, if only judging by the size and the nozzles for the rocket. Although the RPG-7 was put into service in 1961, it remains in use around the world in modernized forms. Again, both Russia and Ukraine utilize the RPG-7.

     Each soldier looks to have a RPG-26 Algen single-shot, disposable anti-tank launcher over their shoulder but again, positive identification is difficult as much of the tube is hidden. The grenadier (who is touching the ushanka hat) is equipped with a AK-74M with an under-barrel 40mm GP-25 Kostyor (“Bonfire”) grenade launcher. Additional rounds of the caseless grenades are kept in a bandoleer. The other soldier has a AKS-74, characterized by the folding stock. It also has ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic polymer stock/grip furniture due to the plum coloration.

     Russian troops have penetrated into Kharkiv's suburbs but these have been light attack units rather than the committal of heavier assets. These skirmishes have occurred on the outskirts of the city proper and no Russian forces have made it deeper. Reports show that Russian columns are bypassing Kharkiv which suggests that Russian troops deployed in the area may be there to contain Ukrainian forces or prevent reinforcements and/or supplies from getting into the city by blockading it. Given Kharkiv has some 1.4 million residents, a full scale assault into the city itself would be very costly.

Originally posted on February 27, 2022.