Russo-Ukrainian War: Damaged Russian 48Ya6-K1 Podlet K1 Radar System

Source: Ukraine_Defence (Instagram)

     On October 23, 2024, a joint mission between the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine and Special Operations Forces located and targeted a Russian 48Ya6-K1 Podlet K1 long-range, high-altitude surveillance radar situated near Cape Tarkhankut, Crimea. The photograph shows the result of the  drone strike. Meaning “Approach”, the Podlet system entered Russian service in 2018 (at a cost of $5.5 million U.S. dollars per unit) and it is designed to detect fast moving targets flying at low altitude. As such, the Podlet plays a key role in providing advance warning to Ukrainian cruise missile attacks (which usually fly at low altitudes) and the system is able to support air defense missile systems such as the S-300 (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) and S-400 (NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler). Alas, as shown, Podlet is not infallible and so far, the Ukrainians have destroyed three Podlet radar vehicles and damaged two others (which includes this one).

     The actual extent of the capabilities of the Podlet's radar suites are not completely known though with the capture of a complete Podlet system in Syria in late 2024, the Podlet's performance may soon be revealed. What is known is that the main detection radar of the Podlet K1 is a 3-coordinate, S-band, phased-array radar which utilizes a circular scan search pattern. It is believed that the maximum detection range is 186 miles (in optimal conditions) and can reach an altitude of 6 miles. The Podlet also has two IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) arrays below the main radar array. One operates in the international standard SIF Mark XII (Selective Identification Feature) (utilized by NATO military aircraft and civilian aircraft) while the other operates in the Russian IFF national standard. Finally, there is a antenna which functions as a counter to electronic jamming, allowing the main detection radar to maintain operability in EW (Electronic Warfare) environments.

     The Podlet is usually supported by a generator truck to provide power and a C2 (Command and Control) vehicle to deliver target data to subordinate air defense units and command. Podlet is a primary component of Russian air defense in the Russo-Ukrainian War, being capable of tracking Ukrainian cruise missiles such as the R-360 Neptune and Western supplied cruise missiles such as the British Storm Shadow.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Captured Russian KamAZ-53949 Linza

Source: Natalia Kravchuk, ArmyInform

     A former Russian KamAZ Linza ambulance now in service as a command vehicle by the 117th. Mechanized Brigade. The Linza (“Lens”) had actually been captured in April 2022 in Kyyanytsia, Suny Oblast after its Russian crew caused the vehicle to overturn during a sharp turn (due to the high center of gravity of the vehicle). For a time, it was used as an ambulance by the Ukrainians until it was refitted as a command vehicle and provided to the signal company of the 117th. Mechanized Brigade late in 2024.

     The 15.5-ton Linza is a variant of the KamAZ-53949 4X4 Typhoon-K MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle. Power comes from a KamAZ built Cummins 6ISBe 350 P-6 diesel engine paired to an automatic mechanical transmission with a 6-speed gearbox. Maximum road speed is 62 miles per hour with enough fuel carried to provide for a maximum cruise range of 621 miles. The Linza can be upgraded with a more powerful 450 horsepower engine. Off-road performance is enhanced with a CTIS (Central Tire Inflation System) and terrain depending, up to 25 miles per hour can be achieved.

     The crew of 3 (driver, commander, and medic) and up to 10 wounded are protected by the equivalent of STANAG 4569 Level 4 defense. This is made possible by a sandwich-type armor comprised of steel alloy armor plating with an external ceramic layer. As such, the Linza can shrug off up to 14.5x114mm API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) ammunition at 200 meters and can shed 155mm artillery fragments from as close as 25 meters. Against mines, the Linza has a V-shaped bottom hull and the protection is on par with STANAG 4569 Level 3 defense. This means it withstand blasts from up to 22 pounds of explosive. Crew are provided with blast resistant seats. Run-flat tires permit the Linza to travel up to 31 miles with a blown out wheel. Further protection comes from a automatic fire suppression system.

     The Linza is primarily for immediate first aid and transport out of the battle area to rear area triage locations. It is not normally armed. As such, it is fairly limited in standard onboard medical equipment. It does, however, have a small crane at the rear of the vehicle to assist with loading stretchered casualties. Enough room is available for four stretchers and up to six seated wounded. Up to 2.2 tons of supplies and equipment can be carried if no casualties are present.

     The Ukrainians modified this Linza by creating five workstations for personnel with each station equipped with a laptop, small desk, monitor, and a radio. Two Starlink satellite systems are utilized, one being the Starlink Mini for communication while the Linza is on the move and the standard Starlink equipment which is deployed when the Linza is stationary. Communication transmissions are encrypted. Typically, the workstations (except for the communication unit commander's station) are manned by personnel from units within the brigade such as drone operations (mainly reconnaissance), air defense, EW (Electronic Warfare), and artillery in order to coordinate actions and forward data up to higher echelon units as well as to subordinate units within the brigade.

Primary Sources:

https://armyinform.com.ua/2025/01/09/shtab-na-kolesah-zatrofeyena-rosijska-linza-stala-brygadnoyu-komandno-shtabnoyu-mashynoyu/

https://roe.ru/eng/catalog/land-forces/armored-vehicles/kamaz-53949/

Russo-Ukrainian War: D-30 (2A18) 122mm Howitzer

Source: Reuters

     A gunner of the National Police of Ukraine with his D-30 122mm howitzer somewhere in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, January 12, 2025. Designated the 2A18 but far better known as the D-30, the howitzer first accepted for Soviet Army service in 1960 and even today, remains a mainstay in artillery units of over 60 nations. While Russia no longer produces the D-30, it is currently license-built in Egypt, Iraq, and Sudan. In 2020, the Russian Army had 4,570 D-30 howitzers in service compared to only 129 examples in the Ukrainian Army. As of January 13, 2025, Russia has lost 114 D-30 howitzers while Ukraine has lost 16.

     The D-30 replaced the World War II era M-30 122mm howitzer with the D-30 reaching artillery units within Soviet Army divisions and regiments starting in 1963. The D-30 is distinctive in that it uses a tripod carriage which, when deployed, permits 360 degrees of traverse for the howitzer. This also provides a low profile, making the D-30 less conspicuous. Usually, the D-30 is deployed on even ground and once a position is selected, a hydraulic jack underneath the carriage center is lowered to the ground which lifts the howitzer. Once this is complete, the wheels are raised (in the photograph here, they have been removed to reduce the size of the D-30) and the movable two stabilizer legs are deployed and secured. The jack is then lowered so that the stabilizer legs touch the ground. The mount for the howitzer permits 70 degrees of elevation and 7 degrees of depression. It should be mentioned that if the barrel is pointed directly over one of the stabilizer legs, gun elevation is limited to 22 degrees. This is to prevent the D-30 from being displaced due to imbalance. In action, the D-30 weighs a little over 3 tons. When in traveling position, the D-30 is towed by its barrel, the tow ring underneath the muzzle brake. Maximum tow speed on roads is no more than 50 miles per hour. Usually, the D-30 is towed by a 6x6 truck though any vehicle capable of towing at least 3 tons can handle the D-30.

     The D-30 uses a semi-automatic, vertical sliding-wedge breech. By semi-automatic, it means when the howitzer is fired, the empty cartridge case is automatically ejected from the breech which then remains open, allowing a new projectile to be loaded. This permits a skilled crew (usually 6 to 8 men) to fire between 10 to 12 rounds every minute though a more sustainable rate is 5 to 6 rounds per minute. Recoil is reduced by way of a multi-baffled muzzle brake and a hydro-pneumatic recoil system mounted above the barrel. The muzzle brake accounts for half of the recoil reduction though the overpressure caused by firing the D-30 is about twice that of comparable caliber guns. As such, it is a danger to unprotected crew and often, gunners use very long lanyards to enable them to fire the D-30 from a distance to reduce the effects of the overpressure wave.

     The D-30 can fire a wide array of ammunition. The two most common projectiles are the 3OF56 HE-Frag (High-Explosive Fragmentation) and BK-6M HEAT-FS (High-Explosive Anti-Tank Fin Stabilized) munition. The 3OF56 has a nearly 9 pound payload of A-IX-2 explosive and can use a number of fuzes, to include the common RGM-2. The maximum range is 9.6 miles. If using a RAP (Rocket Assisted Projectile), such as the TF ER BB XM09 (made by Yugoimport), that range increases to 13.4 miles. As the D-30 was designed for direct engagement (another reason for the low profile), the BK-6M round (with 3.5 pound A-X-1 explosive filler) can, with a full charge, reliably penetrate 400mm of armor at a little under 1,000 meters (.6 of a mile). For indirect fire, a PG-1M panoramic telescope is most often used (supplemented with a K-1 collimator) and for direct fire, a OP4M-45 telescopic sight.

Russo-Ukrainian War: BMP-2, 141st. Mechanized Brigade

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

     A Ukrainian BMP-2 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) belonging to the 141st. Mechanized Brigade, late autumn 2024. This particular example had been updated by the Zhytomyr Armored Vehicle Factory back in 2021 though it is missing the side skirts. The crew has added a anti-drone cage on the turret and lashed a log unditching beam to the back of the vehicle (a common practice). The BMP-2 is one of the most common IFVs in the world with over 35,000 having been built since 1979 (including variants). It first entered service in 1980 in the Soviet Army and is the successor to the original BMP-1.

     The typical power plant for the 14-ton BMP-2 is a UTD-20 series, water-cooled, 6-cylinder diesel engine that develops 300 horsepower which is paired to a manual transmission with a 6-speed gearbox (5 forward, 1 reverse). This provides a maximum road speed of 40 miles per hour and, terrain depending, up to 28 miles per hour off-road. Being amphibious, the top speed in calm waters is 4 miles per hour using its tracks as propulsion. 122 gallons of fuel are carried which provides for a maximum cruise range of 342 miles.

     For armament, the 2-man turret is fitted with a 2A42 30mm autocannon, a co-axial PKT 7.62mm machine-gun, and pintle mount on the turret roof for a 9M113 Konkurs (“Contest”; NATO reporting name AT-5 Spandrel) ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile). The Shipunov 2A42, which uses a gas-operated action, has a rate of fire between 200 to 300 rounds per minute or 550 to 800 rounds per minute depending on the gunner's selection. The two most common rounds are the 3UOF8 HEI (High-Explosive Incendiary) and the 3UBR6 APBC-T (Armor-Piercing Ballistic Cap Tracer). The 3UBR6 can penetrate 20mm of RHA (Rolled Homogeneous Armor) at a 60 degree slope at .4 of a mile but can reach 1.2 miles in effective range though the penetration value drops significantly. The 3UOF8 has a maximum range of 2.5 miles. The 2A42 uses a dual feed so the weapon can utilized mixed ammunition. The turret provides for 360 degree of traverse while the 2E36-1 2-plane, stabilized gun mount allows up to 75 degrees in elevation (and 5 degrees of depression), allowing for engagement of low flying aircraft (a 1PZ-3 scope is provided for the commander in this task). The usual ammunition load is 160 rounds of armor-piercing and 340 rounds of high-explosive. The PKT is provided with 2,000 rounds of ammunition. The gunner is provided with a BPK-1-2 binocular sight with low light capability, a TNPT-1 designator, and a FG-126 infrared searchlight (mounted co-axially with the cannon). For the Konkurs, four missiles are carried and the aiming is fully manual. Finally, there are seven firing ports (three per rear side; one in the left rear entry/exit door) for use by occupants in the troop compartment.

     The BMP-2 uses welded steel alloy armor to protect the 3 man crew and up to seven infantrymen with the front hull supporting between 16mm to 25mm thick armor but thanks to the slope angle, the equivalent is 30mm to 46mm. The turret has 20mm thick armor all around but with the angled turret, the equivalent is 28mm. Most BMP-2 turrets have 6mm thick appliqué armor added to them with similar plating on the hull sides. The side armor of the BMP-2 is approximately 13mm thick but benefits little from sloping. Frontally, the BMP-2 is said to be able to withstand standard 23mm armor-piercing rounds while the sides can protect against 7.62x39mm armor-piercing bullets. Other protective systems include a GO-27 radiological/chemical detector, a PAZ overpressure NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) system, fire suppression system, and two turret mounted Type 902V Tucha smoke grenade dischargers with three tubes for 81mm grenades per discharger.

     For communication, the BMP-2 is equipped with either a R-123M or R-173 radio. Other systems include a GPK-59 gyrocompass, TNPO-170A periscope (for the driver), TNPO-170A periscopes for the firing ports, OU-3GA2 infrared searchlight on the turret for the commander, TNP-165A designator (for the commander), TKN-3B binocular day/low light sight (for the commander), and a TVNE-1PA night vision scope.

Russo-Ukrainian War: 2A36 Giatsint-B 152mm Howitzer (13th. Khartiia Brigade)

Source: Sofiia Gatilova (Reuters)

     A gunner from the 13th. Khartiia Brigade laying his towed 2A36 Giatsint-B (“Hyacinth”) 152mm howitzer against Russian targets. The photograph was taken somewhere in Kharkiv Oblast on January 6, 2025. Accepted for service by the Soviet Army in 1976, the 2A36 replaced the M-46 130mm field gun. Before the true designation was known to the West, the howitzer had the NATO reporting name of M1976. Designed by Yuri Kalachnikov and built by Uraltransmash, between 1,500 and 2,000 examples (source depending) were produced between 1976 and 1989. Russia, in February 2024, had 600 in service while Ukraine is reported to have at least 75 2A36 howitzers within its military.

     The 2A36 uses a split trail carriage that features a gun shield for the crew and four wheels to help disperse the ground pressure of the 10.5 ton weapon. The gun shield offers minimal frontal protection against some small arms calibers and shell fragments. To assist the tow vehicle (typically a KrAZ-260 6x6 truck) in stopping, the carriage wheels feature brakes. Top tow speed on roads (assuming the KrAZ-260) is 50 miles per hour while off-road, it drops to 28 miles per hour. The gun mounting permits an elevation of 57 degrees and a maximum of 25 degrees of traverse before it becomes necessary to move the howitzer. Crewed by eight men, the loader is assisted by way of a loading tray and a chain-driven hydraulic rammer. This permits a trained crew to fire 6 rounds every minute. The breech is of the horizontal sliding-block type while recoil is handled by a multiple-slotted muzzle brake on the end of the barrel, a buffer, and a recuperator. 

     The 2A36 can fire an array of ammunition but in the photograph, a OF-29 (ОФ-29) HE-Frag (High-Explosive Fragmentation) projectile is ready for loading. This would be followed by the cartridge case that contains the propellant. In the nose of the projectile is a fuze. The OF-29 is spin stabilized, has a boat-tail base for aerodynamics, and two copper driving bands which impart a seal in the barrel and ensure engagement of the barrel's rifling. With a full charge, the OF-29 has a maximum range of 15 miles. Indirect fire sighting is usually accomplished with a PG-1M panoramic telescope. The 2A36 can engage in direct fire though the maximum range is limited to 1.2 miles. An OP-4 series sight would be utilized for direct fire. Using RAP ammunition (Rocket-Assisted Projectile), the 2A36 can achieve a maximum range of 27 miles. A drawback of the 2A36 is that it because of its later design (relatively speaking), it cannot make use of 152mm projectiles that are used in earlier howitzers, some of which remain in service to this day. An example is the D-20 152mm howitzer (NATO reporting name M1955) which, despite its age, continues to see combat.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Oncilla IFV

Photograph via the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

     A pair of Oncilla armored vehicles belonging to the 13th. Khartiia Brigade, a unit of the National Guard of Ukraine. The Oncilla is derived from the Dozor-B, an IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) designed by KhMDB (Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau) with the first prototype appearing in October 2004. However, production issues resulted in only ten vehicles being delivered by 2016. To overcome both the production issues and also concerns with the initial Dozor-B design, Lacenaire Limited was contracted to take over Dozor-B development in 2013 in league with the Polish armored vehicle manufacturer Mista Ltd. and after finalizing a license deal, the new version entered production as the Oncilla. As of February 2024, some 100 Oncilla vehicles have been delivered to the Ukrainian military and to date, 5 have been lost (3 destroyed, 2 abandoned after being damaged).

     Power comes from a Deutz BF4M 1013 FC turbocharged diesel engine that develops 190 horsepower. The Oncilla can also be fitted with a more powerful Iveco NEF 4 turbocharged diesel motor that can generate 210 horsepower. Either engine is paired to a Allison S1000 automatic transmission with a 2-speed transfer case and a 6-speed gearbox (5 forward, 1 reverse). Maximum road speed is 65 miles per hour and enough fuel is carried to provide for a maximum cruise range of 466 miles. Off-road performance is enhanced by independent suspension and a CTIS (Central Tire Inflation System). Michelin tires with Hutchinson run-flat inserts permit the Oncilla to travel up to 31 miles with all four tires punctured.

     For protection, the Oncilla sports STANAG 4569 (NATO Standardization Agreement) Level 2 armor which is proof against 7.62x39mm API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) ammunition at 30 meters. Against mines, the Oncilla can weather charges up to 13 pounds with additional crew protection against detonations provided by a rounded bottom hull to deflect blast forces and blast resistant crew seats. Add-on armor packages can beef up the ballistic defense to STANAG 4569 Level 3 which defeats 7.62x51mm tungsten carbide core AP (Armor-Piercing) rounds. Other protective systems include an automatic fire extinguishing system for the engine compartment and a NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) filtration system.

     The main armament is a RWS (Remote Weapon Station) fitted to the roof of the Oncilla. The usual weapon is a 12.7mm NSV heavy machine-gun. However, neither vehicle's RWS in the photograph sport the NSV. The gun mount provides for 68 degrees of elevation and 3 degrees of depression with the RWS having 360 degrees of traverse. Firing is done using a joystick, the operator using a 12” monitor with the view coming from a box on the left side of the RWS that contains a color camera, thermal imager, and a laser rangefinder. To the right is a ammunition box that holds up to 450 rounds for the NSV.

     Other systems include a satellite navigation system, internal communication suite, radio suite, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning) system for crew comfort, and a front mounted 6.8-ton winch for self-recovery tasks.

Primary Source:

https://www.army-guide.com/eng/product5107.html

 

Russo-Ukrainian War: M1152 HMMWV with GSh-23

 

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

    A Ukrainian M1152A1 HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) belonging to the 1st. Air Force Combined Rifle Brigade fitted with a Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 23mm twin-barrel autocannon.

    The GSh-23 first entered service in 1965 and was designed as a armament for fighter aircraft. It was the primary gun armament for late model Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighters (NATO reporting name Fishbed) and all versions of the later MiG-23 (NATO reporting name Flogger) among other aircraft. It is also used in some models of the Mil Mi-24 helicopter (NATO reporting name Hind), notably the Mi-24VP, Mi-24VM, and Mi-35M (export variant of the Mi-24V).

    Designed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau, the GSh-23 uses a Gast principle action. The action works in that the recoil of one barrel firing loads and charges the second barrel. When the second barrel fires, it loads and charges the first. This permits a high rate of fire with the GSh-23 able to reach 3,400 rounds per minute. Empty, the weapon has a weight of 108 pounds.

    The GSh-23 can fire a wide range of 23X115mm ammunition. Two of the more common types are the OFZ which is a HEI (High-Explosive Incendiary) round and the BZ-A which is a API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) round. The OFZ carries a .7 of an ounce A-IX-2 explosive payload and uses either an AG-23 or AG-23D fuze. The BZ-A is a solid shot round with a incendiary filled ballistic cap. When firing on ground targets, the effective maximum range is just under 1 mile (.9 of a mile). The BZ-A round, at 200 meters, is able to penetrate 10mm of RHA (rolled homogeneous armor). As such, it is only much of a threat to soft skinned vehicles and very lightly armored vehicles.

Primary Sources:

https://weaponsystems.net/system/416-23mm+Gryazev-Shipunov+GSh-23

https://kintex.bg/product-4-293

https://web.archive.org/web/20230201163056/http://www.russianammo.org/Russian_Ammunition_Page_25mm.html#8

Russo-Ukrainian War: The RPV-16 Thermobaric Weapon

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

     A soldier of the 30th. Mechanized Brigade “Konstantin Ostrozky” showing off a RPV-16. The RPV-16 is a Ukrainian designed and built rocket-assisted thermobaric weapon, akin to the Russian RPO-A Shmel. The RPV-16 first appeared around January 2022, just prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since then, it has seen continued combat though it isn't often seen in photographs.

     The 93mm thermobaric warhead is designed to engage enemy infantry, especially those within bunkers or hardened positions. It does this by generating a fireball upon detonation which can reach temperatures approaching 2,500 degrees Celsius (about 4,532 degrees Fahrenheit) in addition to causing a overpressure wave from the blast. What isn't incinerated at the epicenter of the blast, the lethality of the RPV-16's explosion extends out to a radius of 262 feet. In a more confined space, the overpressure wave is compressed by walls and other surfaces, increasing the effect against infantry. Besides death, the wave's force can cause internal bleeding and even break bones.

     The RPV-16 comes standard with a dioptric sight (seen here in the photograph) which permits targeting between 100 meters out to 600 meters which is the optimum engagement range bracket. The weapon can fire out to a maximum range of 1,000 meters (.6 of a mile). The sight can be replaced with more advanced optics for aiming. Firing is through a electrical circuit trigger and there is a safety switch to prevent accidental firing. While the launch tube is one-use, the rest of the RPV-16's hardware can be re-used by securing it around a fresh tube via three latches. Loaded, the RPV-16 has a weight of 24 pounds and a length of 3 feet.

     Usually, the RPV-16 is fielded by a unit's CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) company (which the 30th. Mechanized Brigade has) though it is not exclusive to such companies.