Russo-Ukrainian War: The Polaris MVRS 700 UTV

Source: @inukraine.official on Instagram

    In early March 2024, Russian Federation forces launched an attack near Lyman, Donetsk Oblast. The initial assault included tanks and IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) and in the way was the Ukrainian 60th. Mechanized Brigade. In short order, the assault's first push was repulsed but the Russian forces were not done and a second assault was launched...with “golf carts”. The “golf carts” were Aodes Desertcross 1000-3 utility task vehicles (UTVs). Crammed with soldiers, the unarmored UTVs were quickly destroyed. Russia has purchased over 2,000 of the Desertcross UTV from China to issue to troops in Ukraine. The first confirmed appearance of them in Ukraine occurred in November 2023. Initially, they were utilized for rear-area tasks but in was not long before they were used in direct attacks on Ukrainian lines with the expected catastrophic results.

    Ukrainian forces also make use of UTVs to fulfill logistical, medical, and fast reaction roles. The advantages of UTVs are a smaller size, a quieter engine, and high speed. This makes them more difficult to both see and hear, even from reconnaissance drones, while the high speed enables the UTVs to move through terrain quickly. Of course, the main disadvantage is UTVs lack any sort of armor, leaving the driver and any passengers completely vulnerable to enemy fire. For logistical tasks, UTVs are used to resupply troops with ammunition, rations, etc. as well as transport soldiers to and from the front during rotations. Casualties can be evacuated to the rear using UTVs. The Ukrainians also use UTVs as as fast reaction units. For example, the 93rd. Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar” uses UTVs fitted with Stugna-P ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles). UTVs used in this role are like “fire brigades”, rapidly moving to sections of the front to engage enemy armor. As the Stugna-P has a maximum range of 3.4 miles (in daytime) and 1.9 miles (at night), these units have a measure of stand-off distance from the direct front lines though they remain vulnerable to FPVs and artillery fire. The screen capture here is from a Ukrainian soldier's smartphone video and shows one of the UTVs used by Ukrainian forces: the Polaris MVRS 700.

    The .8-ton MVRS 700 (Multiple Vehicle Reentry System) is powered by a Polaris 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI). The engine develops 45 horsepower (683cc) and is paired to a Polaris Variable Transmission with a 3-speed gearbox (2 forward, 1 reverse). This gives the MVRS 700 a top road speed of 42 miles per hour. Fuel capacity is 13 gallons and depending on how the UTV is driven, range can vary between 55 to 80 miles.

    The front rack of the MVRS 700 can carry up to 100 pounds while the rear box bed (which can be tipped) can hold 1,000 pounds. The maximum capacity of the MVRS 700 is 1,600 pounds. A trailer hitch on the rear of the UTV can tow up to 1,750 pounds. Run-flat Goodyear Tracker Mud Runner tires ensure limited mobility is retained after damage. In the front is a self-recovery winch with a 2-ton capacity.