Russo-Ukrainian War: Russian Sniper Decoy

Source: Military Informant

     The Russo-Ukrainian War is notable for the relatively widespread use of decoys with the Ukrainians making significant usage of decoys that mimic high value targets. Such targets include the M142 HIMARS, the MIM-104 Patriot, and NASAMS. Decoys which have seen deployment include artillery pieces, IFVs, tanks, missile batteries, and even decoy drones. The intent of decoys in the current battlefield in Ukraine is to lure in drones and cause the enemy to expend them on the decoys and not the actual weapon systems. However, they can also be used to deceive enemy intelligence in regards to troop disposition and strength. More rarely seen is the use of decoy soldiers and in this photograph, appearing in social media in March 2025, Russian soldiers have created a decoy sniper and set it up in a damaged building. Some may question the logic of expending the effort to create this decoy but Major John L. Plaster, USAR (Ret.) in his book The Ultimate Sniper provides the likely purpose: counter-sniping.

     As the name suggests, counter-sniping is the methodology of locating and eliminating an enemy sniper. Plaster devotes an entire chapter in his book on techniques that can be used to locate an opposing sniper and then engage him. One of these techniques is the use of decoys. The purpose of a decoy is to fool the enemy sniper into firing on it which then betrays his location and allows the counter-sniper to engage. This is because the counter-sniper positions his decoy and understands the likely avenues in which the enemy sniper may take the decoy under fire. As such, the counter-sniper actively surveils these avenues and if the bait is taken, he can quickly seek and eliminate the opposing sniper following the shot.

     However, Plaster makes it clear that decoys are no guarantee, stating “...do not forget that your opponent is a breathing, thinking human being with intelligence and determination just like you.” What this means is that no matter how much effort is put into making a realistic decoy, it may not fool the enemy sniper. Or the very decoy in question could be there to lure a counter-sniper. Plaster says that the sniper needs to assess the situation in that, does it make sense for a sniper to be located in the area. Also, he goes on to say that “if the shooting opportunity looks too good to be true, it probably is.” It should be pointed out since the mannequin generates no heat, in night operations where thermal imagers would be used, the decoy may not even be visible as it will match the background temperature.  To remedy that, somehow, the mannequin would need to have a heat source when the air temperature is cold. Another concern would be if a sniper is using quality optics, the crudeness of the “rifle” may be evident and thus the decoy would be ignored. A better option would have been to utilize a genuine, though non-functional, rifle for authenticity and and make it believable.

Russo-Ukrainian War: T-80BVM with "Hedgehog" Armor

Source: 6TV.ru

     Photographed in early December 2025, a Russian T-80BVM main battle tank shows off its new anti-drone protection which had been fitted to it by a Russian repair battalion. This type of defense has become known as “hedgehog” armor as it has a resemblance to the spines found on the upper bodies of hedgehogs. Personally, I prefer “toilet brush” armor. When first encountered in smartphone videos in 2025, the rolling “bushes” garnered a good bit of ridicule. Except, that ridicule has since dwindled. Why? That is because the “hedgehog” armor, despite how crazy it looks, works and works well. While mostly seen on Russian tanks, “hedgehog” armor is being applied to other tracked vehicles and even civilian vehicles which Russians utilize. Even some Ukrainian vehicles are adopting the defense.

     So, exactly what makes up “hedgehog” armor? Plain steel cabling. Steel cabling is made up of multiple strands of steel wire wrapped around a fiber or steel core. To make one section of “hedgehog” armor, all that is involved is taking a length of steel cable and unraveling the strands then arranging them into a “bush” so that the strands point outwards in multiple directions. The end of the cable is then welded or bolted down to the vehicle hull. Add more and more sections and the result is what is shown in the photograph. The sections overlap, creating a formidable defense against drones. From this side view of the T-80BVM, there are very few gaps a drone can target and those we do see, there are explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks visible which could defeat a FPV drone. The repair battalion encompassed the turret with a metal frame to which the sections are secured. Soft ERA bags can be seen (the light gray colored objects) above the tank's standard turret ERA.

     From a FPV drone operator's point of view, trying to tackle a “hedgehog” equipped tank is a serious problem. For one, the cameras used by FPV drones are not high quality. This is intentional as FPV drones are expendable and thus costs need to be kept low. Anyone who has viewed FPV drone attack videos knows how grainy the feed are. Now, couple the poor video quality and then add the need for the operator to find a gap in the “hedgehog” armor and exploit it. Any mistake and the FPV drone can get impaled on a strand, a strand can catch a part of the drone and damage it, or a strand can set off the FPV drone's warhead by striking it. If the target is actively moving, well, that exploitation chance diminishes even more. There are videos on social media which show Russian “hedgehog” tanks with Ukrainian FPV drones stuck in the strands. These tanks were ultimately defeated but it took a large number of FPV drones to accomplish the task where without the “hedgehog” armor, one or two drones would have been enough.

     “Hedgehog” armor is not without its disadvantages. For one, larger loitering munitions, the speed of attack makes the bendable strands less effective and sheer velocity can win the day. For example, the Russian ZALA Lancet's terminal attack speed is a little over 186 miles per hour. By comparison, the typical FPV drone musters only 62 miles per hour. Another problem is the weight the additional anti-drone defenses add to the vehicle. This added weight, which the vehicle's engine and drive train is not designed to cope with, leads to mechanical failures. In a Soldier of Fortune Magazine article from December 24, 2025 by A.R. Fomenko, he cites a Russian tank driver whose tank has a full “hedgehog” armor set up. The driver said that the added weight crippled his tank and that it was rare his tank made 6 miles before something in the drive train broke. When available, some “hedgehog” armor equipped tanks are moved by tank transporters to get them closer to the front before the tank has to drive on its own.

For further information on the T-80BVM, visit:

https://photosofmilitaryhistory.blogspot.com/2025/01/russo-ukrainian-war-t-80bvm-obr-2022.html

Russo-Ukrainian War: The 2S19 Msta-S 152mm SPH

Source: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service

     Somewhere in Russian occupied Ukraine, a Russian 2S19 Msta-S 152mm SPH (Self-Propelled Howitzer) moves into a position on October 29, 2025. The symbol on the hull front, below the blurred image of the driver, is what is sometimes termed as a “theater tactical” symbol. These are used to identify Russian vehicles from Ukrainian ones since in many cases, both sides are using the same equipment. This particular theater tactical symbol first appeared in May 2024 on Russian vehicles during combat actions in Kharkiv Oblast.

     The 2S19 is liberally draped in rubber panels made from conveyor belts. Fairly easy to obtain, conveyor belts often find use as appliqué armor where they are cut into pieces and applied as best possible to combat vehicles. The main purpose is to offer a small measure of protection from HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) munitions. The turret of the 2S19 has a metal frame to which the panels are hung and a portion of that frame can be seen above the turret. A panel hangs down from the front of the 2S19, protecting the lower glacis while panels on the sides of the 2S19 hang almost to the ground. Atop the entire turret is a camouflage net. What could be a video camera can just be seen attached to the visible portion of the metal frame.

     Since the 2S19 isn't meant to be on the front lines, relying on the range of its howitzer to keep it further back from the majority of prowling FPV drones, it doesn't carry the extensive anti-drone defenses seen on vehicles much closer to the front. Such defenses include drone jammers, more extensive screen armor, explosive reactive armor blocks, and wire/cable “spike” armor.

For more information on the 2S19 Msta-S, visit:

https://photosofmilitaryhistory.blogspot.com/2023/07/russo-ukrainian-war-2s19-msta.html

Russo-Ukrainian War: The GP-25 "Kostyor" 40mm Grenade Launcher

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

     A soldier of the 128th. Mountain Assault Brigade “Zakarpattia” trains with a interesting modification of the 40mm GP-25 Kostyor (“Bonfire”) under-barrel grenade launcher. The GP-25, first issued to Soviet Army units in 1978, is designed to be mounted underneath the barrel of AK-47 and AK-74 assault rifles along with other compatible AK series weapons. However, as can be seen here, the GP-25 has been fitted with a conversion kit that allows it to be used as a stand-alone grenade launcher.

     Emblazoned on the telescoping stock is the company name Gun Power Nation, the company's logo seen on the front pistol grip mounting bracket. Gun Power Nation, based in Kyiv, Ukraine, sells the conversion kit under SKU number 7297 with a retail cost of $108 U.S. dollars. The kit consists of the stock, forward grip, and the mounting hardware...all of which are made of 7075 aluminium alloy (primary alloying element being zinc) and steel. The weight of the kit is 2 pounds, added to the 3.3 pound weight of the GP-25.

     The GP-25 uses 40x53mm grenades which makes the GP-25 incompatible with U.S. 40x46mm cased grenades. As the 40x53mm grenades do not have a case, when fired, it leaves the GP-25's barrel empty and thus immediately ready for a new grenade. The GP-25 is muzzle loaded and sighting is normally done using a left side-mounted, notched quadrant sight. With a low muzzle velocity of 251 feet per second, the maximum range is no more than 400 meters with an effective range usually being around 150 meters. A trained operator can fire up to 4 grenades every minute.

     The typical grenade is the VOG-25 HE-FRAG (High-Explosive Fragmentation) which has 1.7 ounces of A-IX-1 explosive in the nose. Upon firing, the VOG-25 arms itself by the time it reaches 40 meters downrange and upon detonation, a lethal blast radius of 20 feet is created. The VOG-25 (as well as all the grenades used by the GP-25) is fitted with a fuse that when it reaches between 14 to 19 seconds, it will detonate the grenade. A variant of the VOG-25 is the VOG-25P “bouncing” HE-FRAG grenade. Containing 1.3 ounces of TNT, when the VOG-25P impacts the ground, a small charge in the nose goes off and “bounces” the grenade up into the air to a maximum height of 5 feet. At that point, the VOG-25P explodes, having much the same lethality radius as the standard VOG-25. Another common grenade is the GRD series of smoke grenades. Besides the original GRD-40 smoke grenade, the newer GRD-50, GRD-100, and GRD-200 smoke grenades are used to lay down a smoke screen covering 706 cubic feet per grenade. In low wind speeds (below 3.3 miles per hour), the smoke persists for 1 minute. The numbers of the newer grenades refer to the range from the operator, in meters, at which the grenade will commence to release smoke.

     The GP-25 can fire most any 40x53mm grenade designed for single-shot and/or under-barrel grenade launchers. The Bulgarian arms manufacturer Arsenal JSCo illustrates the numerous additional grenade offerings for the GP-25. The HEDP (High-Explosive Dual-Purpose) grenade has the same lethal radius as the VOG-25 but adds the ability to penetrate 50mm of rolled homogeneous plate (RHA) which makes lightly armored vehicles vulnerable to the grenade. The company offers a more potent HE-FRAG grenade that increases the lethal radius to 30 feet. The AD (Anti-Diver) grenade is designed for  use by naval troops, permitting them to engage enemy frogmen to a maximum depth of 15 meters. The TBC-3 thermobaric explosive warhead creates a lethal radius of 98 feet and a disorientating effect to divers out to 328 feet. The TB (Thermobaric) grenade has a warhead packed with 3 ounces of TBC-2 explosive which, when the AF41 fuze is activated, dispenses the TBC-2 into the air which immediately detonates upon reaction with oxygen. This generates intense heat and overpressure within the burst radius. The CS grenade creates a cloud of irritant CS gas 7,062 cubic feet in size while the S&F (Sound & Flash) grenade is another non-lethal munition which is essentially a “flash bang” round, creating a near deafening noise upon detonation coupled with a flash that temporarily blinds anyone looking at it. Finally, TP or P (Target Practice or Practice) are used for training while ILL (Illumination) grenades (“star shells”) are fired into the air and upon detonation, release a parachute to slow descent while white, red, green, or yellow flares burn. Color depending, the candlepower ranges from 8,000 (green) up to 90,000 (white). The burn time for the ILL grenade is 25 seconds.

     The weapon in the background is a 7.62x54mmR PKM general purpose machine-gun while of interest, the GP-25 operator has a patch on his helmet of the flag reportedly flown by the pirate Edward “Blackbeard” Teach though no evidence exists to prove it.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Russian "Bylat Mobile"

Source: @drone_wars_ on Instagram

     Derided as “Bylat Mobiles” and in polite company as “Turtle Tanks”, the monstrosity shown in this photograph would be more at home on Fury Road in the Mad Max film franchise. It does, however, illustrate the current trend in Russian ad-hoc anti-drone defense. Turtle tanks first started to appear in 2024 and early ones consisted of a metal frame welded onto a tank chassis to which sheet metal was applied. This “shell” covered the entire top and sides of the tank with the only openings being the front and back. As the Ukrainians learned to utilize FPV drones against these turtle tanks, the Russians evolved the design and this usually encompassed enclosing the rear of the tank, adding metal chains along the front opening, fitting rubber panels along the front, rear, and sides of the tank, and adding drone jammers to the exterior of the enclosure. Even with these measures, turtle tanks could still be engaged by FPV drones. Jammers may or may not work against a frequency an attacking drone is operating on and since there are parts of a turtle tank that can still be hit by a FPV drone, it is possible to get a mobility kill (and other drones or artillery can finish the tank off) or a catastrophic kill if the turtle tank is carrying ammunition. The advent of fiber-optic, wire-guided FPV drones means jammers are no longer effective and chains, which are used to foul drone propellers, cannot be deployed effectively across the entirety of the tank. The solution Russian crews found is what you see here, twisted wire cables. The cabling is unwound and the individual wires spread apart to form stiff metal “branches”. When these “bushes” of wire are combined together across the exterior of the tank, it makes for a serious challenge for Ukrainian FPV drone operators to get through to the tank without propellers or the drone itself colliding with a wire. In fact, there have been a few social media images which show Ukrainian FPV drones “impaled” on these wires, preventing a successful hit. So, while the concept looks ridiculous, it has a measure of effectiveness.

     The Russians typically deploy turtle tanks in the assault where they lead follow-on troops towards Ukrainian positions. More often than not, the turtle tanks are equipped with KMT-7 mine rollers (sometimes combined with KMT-6 or KMT-8 mine ploughs) so that they can clear away any mines that could hold up troops coming up behind. Turtle tanks also don't usually carry ammunition for the main gun as it is either non-functional or the traverse is so limited as to be useless. This also has the effect of making survivability from a successful hit somewhat higher for the crew. Not surprisingly, turtle tanks attract a lot of attention from FPV drones and if the drones cannot at least score a mobility kill, it might be up to Ukrainian anti-tank teams to knock out the vehicle before it gets close. 

     It is neigh short of impossible to tell what model of tank is inside the enclosure built up around it. The crew has liberally covered the exterior with metal 4S22 explosive reactive armor boxes which are usually seen fitted to the side skirts of T-90M tanks (which has 40 boxes in all, 20 per side of the tank). This provides added protection against shaped charge munitions. The triangle with a solid triangle within it is a more recent Russian tactical symbol for units in a particular area of operations. It is not a unit specific symbol. Of interest, it appears that a venerable BDSh-5 smoke canister has been fitted to the tank. These were used on Soviet tanks prior to the introduction of the 902A “Tucha” smoke grenade launchers in 1981. The BDSh-5 is deployed by releasing it to drop to the ground where it would be electrically triggered to initiate the generation of a smoke screen. The process is done from within the tank.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The BM-27 Uragan 220mm MLRS (BAZ-69092 Chassis)

Source: Reddit

     A mainstay within Russian heavy rocket artillery units is the BM-27 Uragan (“Hurricane”) 220mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System). Entering service with the Soviet Army in 1975, the Uragan is still in limited production in more modern forms but the vast majority of the BM-27 MLRS in Russian Federation service still utilize the original ZIL-135 8x8 chassis. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in 2024, the Russian Army has 218 BM-27 MLRS in service and the ability to call on another 550 of them which remain in storage (assuming they are in a condition enough to warrant returning to service). Nevertheless, the sanctions being applied to Russia since 2022 have had some impact on the ability of Russia to both produce new military hardware and also maintain older vehicles. The ZIL-135 falls into the latter category as production ceased for it in 1994, requiring Russia to source outside of itself. To that end, the photograph of the burned out remains of a Russian Federation BM-27 illustrate Russia's answer to ensuring BM-27 production: using the BAZ-69092 6x6 chassis rather than the ZIL-135. 

     The 13-ton BAZ-69092 isn't new, having appeared in service around 2017, though its history goes back to the 1990s. The key factor is that Bryansk Automobile Plant (BAZ) is able to build the chassis entirely of Russian produced components. Performance mounting the 9P140 220mm rocket launcher complex on the BAZ-69092 (to create the BM-27) isn't known so any performance values are based solely on the BAZ-69092 without any mounted apparatus.

     Power comes from a YaMZ-8491.10-032 turbocharged diesel engine that develops 450 horsepower and this is tied into a YaMZ-2393-10 gearbox. Usage of a mechanical transmission permits all-wheel drive while there is a 2-stage transfer case and locking cross-axle differentials. Top road speed is 50 miles per hour with enough fuel for a maximum operational range (empty of payload) of 621 miles.

     Mounted in front of the engine is the crew cab and normally, this is unarmored. However, the BAZ-69092 can be fitted with an armored cab which does offer some defense against select small arms calibers and shell fragments. Additional crew protection comes in the form of NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) systems such as the FVUA-100a-24 filtration system and anti-radiation screens. In the photograph, anti-drone screens have been added to the cab and 16-tube launcher...not that they were effective. The two cylindrical objects just behind the rocket launcher are the engine exhausts. In front of the exhausts is where a spare tire would be kept.

     The capability of the 220mm rockets utilized by the BM-27 offer a range comparable to heavy artillery, if not exceeding guns such as the 2A65 152mm Msta-B. Only the powerful 2A44 203mm gun used on the 2S7 Pion SPG (Self-Propelled Gun) can out-range the BM-27. The launcher is aimed using a PG-1 panoramic telescopic sight and with a full six man crew, the BM-27 can be prepared for firing or broken down for  movement in three minutes. The rockets can be fired one at a time or in salvo with all sixteen rockets capable of being fired in 20 seconds. Assuming the BM-27 is accompanied with a transloader vehicle (which has a crane), reloading the BM-27 fully can take approximately 20 minutes

     The most utilized rocket is the 220mm 9M27F HE-FRAG (High-Explosive Fragmentation) rocket that packs 220 pounds of explosive within a fragmentation casing warhead. Weighing 620 pounds with a length of 15.8 feet, the 9M27F has a maximum range of 21 miles. Another type of rocket is the 9M27K series. These are rockets which disperse submunitions across a target area. The rockets are the 9M27K1 which dispenses thirty 9N210 anti-material bomblets, the 9M27K2 which drops twenty-four PGMDM or PTM-1 anti-tank mines, while the third is the 9M27K3 which disperses three hundred and twelve PFM-1 anti-personnel mines. All three types have a maximum 21 mile range. Two other rocket types include the 9M27S incendiary rocket and the 9M59 rocket which can dispense nine PTM-3 shaped charge anti-tank mines. Like the other rockets, their maximum range is no more than 21 miles.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Sukhoi Su-24M Fencer-D

Source: ukraine_defense on Instagram

     The only tactical bomber the Ukrainian Air Force currently fields in the Russo-Ukrainian War is shown here: the Sukhoi Su-24M. Often called by its NATO reporting name, Fencer-D, the Su-24 entered service with the Soviet Union in 1974 and although production of the Su-24 ceased in 1993, it remains in front-line service with six nations of which Ukraine and Russia are included in that number. This particular Su-24M belongs to the 7th. Tactical Aviation Brigade “Petro Franko” which is the only unit within the Ukrainian Air Force that operates the Su-24. The brigade has suffered heavy losses, most occurring in the opening months of the Russo-Ukrainian War which started in February 24, 2022 with the Russian invasion. In 2022, the unit lost a total of 24 aircraft with sixteen crew killed in action and three missing in action. To date, the last confirmed loss of a Su-24 occurred on March 1, 2023 with the loss of both crew members. A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in February 2024 gave the inventory of surviving aircraft at thirteen with five being the Su-24M and the remainder being the reconnaissance variant, the Su-24MR (Fencer-E).

     The Su-24M started to appear in Soviet units in 1983. Power comes from two Lyulka AL-21F-3A turbojets with each engine capable of 17,000 pounds of thrust. With the afterburner engaged, this increases to 24,700 pounds of thrust each. Clean and without afterburners, the Su-24M can achieve a maximum speed of 1,028 miles per hour near the plane's service ceiling of 36,000 feet. At sea level, the top speed is 817 miles per hour. At full thrust, the Su-24M has a climb of 30,000 feet per minute. For range, the average is 382 miles with a 6,614 pound load of ordnance and external fuel tanks. The Su-24M has 24,471 pounds of onboard fuel and without ordnance but with external fuel tanks, the ferry range is 1,724 miles. The Su-24M has a two man crew, the pilot and the WSO (“Whizzo” or Weapon Systems Officer), and they sit side-by-side in the cockpit. Each is provided with a Zvezda K-36D ejection seat.

     The Su-24 has variable swept wings which have four sweep settings. For take-off and landing, the wings are swept at 16 degrees while for cruising, the sweep is either 35 degrees or 45 degrees altitude depending. The final sweep setting is 69 degrees to reduce the aspect ratio and provide for maximum speed. The variable wings also allow for a low landing speed for such a large aircraft at 140 miles per hour. The original model, the Su-24 (Fencer-A), was capable of 1,440 miles per hour at 57,400 feet but since the usual mission profile was low altitude, the complex (and heavy) variable intake ramps were removed in later models such as the Su-24M to lower weight and simplify maintenance. It did, however, drop the maximum speed to what is outlined above.

     The only on-board armament is a single Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23M rotary 23mm cannon which is provided with 500 rounds of ammunition. There are eight hardpoints with four on the underside of the fuselage and two per wing. The outer wing hardpoints can swivel to remain in place as the wings change sweep angles. A total of 17,635 pounds of stores can be carried by the Su-24M, to include the full array of Soviet-era missiles, rockets, and bombs. This was one of the factors that caused the high rate of attrition of the Su-24M in 2022 as the aircraft had no munitions that could be fired at Russian targets outside of Russian anti-air defense ranges. When the Ukrainian Air Force began to receive Western aerial weapons capable of stand-off ranges (meaning, the weapon can be deployed against Russian targets without the aircraft being within anti-aircraft gun or missile ranges), the Su-24M became the primary delivery system. By consequence, there have been no confirmed Su-24M losses since March 2023.

     The Su-24M shown here is equipped with two Storm Shadow cruise missiles which have been provided to Ukraine by Great Britain. France has also provided Ukraine with the Storm Shadow though in French use, it is called the SCALP-EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée – Emploi Général meaning Long Range Autonomous Cruise Missile System – General Purpose). The Storm Shadow was designed by Matra BAe Dynamics and is built by MBDA with the first missiles becoming operational in 2003. At a cost of 2.5 million U.S. dollars each, the Storm Shadow is powered by a Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet which generates 1,200 pounds of thrust. This gives the missile a 729 miles per hour. Maximum range is 342 miles. Guidance is a combination of GPS, an inertial navigation system, infrared thermography, and TERPROM (Terrain Profile Matching). Steering is accomplished by four vertical and two horizontal tailplanes. Target data is programmed into the Storm Shadow prior to mission launch and once the missile is released, the mission profile cannot be changed nor terminated. The 990 pound warhead uses a multi-stage BROACH penetrator (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge). It consists of a shaped charge which strikes first, punching through exterior concrete, earth, or armor, which then permits the follow-on charge to detonate inside the target. The usage of TERPROM provides the Storm Shadow with resistance to Russian GPS signal jamming. Ukrainian Su-24M launch the Storm Shadow from the inboard wing hardpoints using a pylon adapter taken from former Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR4 multi-role aircraft. Underneath the fuselage is a PTB-3000 external fuel tank that holds 793 gallons of fuel. The downward pointing fins on the front of the tank ensure the tank falls away from the aircraft if it has to be detached in flight. Other stand-off munitions currently known to be used by Ukrainian Su-24M aircraft are domestically made gliding bombs, the venerable Kh-25ML tactical air-to-surface missile (NATO reporting name AS-10 Karen), U.S. supplied JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range) guided bombs, and French supplied AASM HAMMER guided bombs.

     Other equipment on the Su-24M include the Puma navigation/attack suite (consisting of two Orion-A radars which permit day/night capability), Relyef terrain clearance radar (allows for automatic piloting at low altitudes), Orbita-10-58 computer, Shchel helmet-mounted sights for the crew, multi-function displays, digital moving-map generator, Sirena radar-warning receiver, active ECM (Electronic Countermeasure) suites (which can be seen as the triangular protrusions at the top of the vertical stabilizer and on the intake sides), capability to carry chaff and flare dispensers, inflight refueling capability, PNS-24M inertial navigation system, Tekon track/search system for guided munition use, and a Kaira-24 laser designator with TV-optical display.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Lada VAZ-2114 Samara

Source: Reddit

     The sad state of affairs for some Russian Federation units in regards to troop transport is displayed in excellent form here. As of June 10, 2025, the Russians have lost an estimated 51,579 vehicles (trucks, fuel tankers, logistical vehicles, etc.) and 22,783 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles (tracked and wheeled). These are losses that Russian production cannot keep up with and so Russian units that lack vehicles commandeer whatever they can in order to ride rather than walk. The vehicle in question here is a civilian Lada VAZ-2114 Samara 5-door hatchback. Built by the Russian company AvtoVAZ and sold under the Lada brand, the VAZ-2114 is a variant of the original Lada VAZ-2108 compact car which first appeared in 1984. The Samara name was not used until 1991. Before that, the car was called the Lada Sputnik. Production ended in 2013.

     Appearing in 1987, the 1-ton VAZ-2114 was initially offered with three engine types (1.1, 1.3, and 1.5 liter) but in 2001, the 1.5-liter engine was the only motor used until 2007 when an optional 1.6-liter 8V (8 valve per cylinder) engine was offered. The basic 1.5-liter inline engine is a fuel-injected, 4-cylinder petrol motor that develops 79 horsepower. It has two valves per cylinder and has a OHC (Overhead Camshaft) valve train. This means the camshaft sits in the cylinder head, above the combustion chamber. The VAZ-2114 is a front-wheel drive car with a 5-speed manual transmission. Total fuel capacity is a tad over 11 gallons and in the city, the VAZ-2114 averages around 26 miles per gallon. Maximum road speed is 102 miles per hour. It takes the car 13 seconds to get up to 62 miles per hour.

     Other aspects of the VAZ-2114 include spring strut front suspension, trailing arm rear suspension, disc front brakes, drum rear brakes, rack and pinion steering, 15 cubic feet of truck space, multi-port manifold fuel injection, and seating for five.

     Returning to the photograph, the crew of the VAZ-2114 have added a PVC pipe frame around the upper portion of the car and draped in what appears to be nylon netting. There are black cables running through the netting and along some of the piping which may run to EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment. The back portion of the roof has been cut away along with the rear hatch to make an open compartment. A hand rail can be seen behind the front seats. In the front of the VAZ-2114 is a piece of rubberized canvas to protect the lower front of the car. What is on the end of the two prongs isn't known. The VAZ-2114 uses 165/70 R13 tires and the front tires have been replaced with off-road tires to improve traction (since it is a front-wheel drive car).

Russo-Ukrainian War: The 60mm Mortar PG

Source: Military Informant (milinfolive) on Telegram

     It is not a secret that the regime of North Korea has been supplying the Russian Federation with arms (as well as troops) to make up for the huge losses of equipment in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War...equipment which the Russian military complex is unable to replace as fast as it is lost. One of the arms being provided is displayed here: the 60mm mortar PG (ᄑᄀ in the image). As a whole, 60mm mortars have fallen out of favor with most militaries due to their short range but they do have the benefit of being lightweight and able to provide close range, indirect fire.

     The North Korean PG is, more or less, a copy of the Chinese Type 31 60mm mortar. The Type 31 is the Chinese copy of the U.S. Army's M2 60mm mortar which appeared in 1940, being the American produced version of the French Brandt Mle 1935 60mm mortar. So, one could say the PG is a copy of a copy (Type 31) of a copy (M2) of a copy (Mle 1935). Nevertheless, the soundness of the Mle 1935 is evidenced by three countries electing to adopt the mortar.

     There is not a lot of specific information on the PG. Given it is a North Korean built version of the Type 31, it is reasonable to utilize the specifications for the Type 31 as the PG is likely similar in statistics and performance. The Type 31 has a total weight (to include the base plate, bipod, and sight) of 44 pounds and normally requires a crew of two.

     Ranging is done using a fairly basic non-telescopic, collimator sight which provides for elevation and deflection adjustments via cross and longitudinal levels. The white line down the center of the mortar tube can also be used for aiming. Maximum range is probably around 1 mile using a basic HE (High-Explosive) bomb. The minimum range is approximately 200 meters. Loading is accomplished by dropping the bomb down the muzzle and when it hits the bottom of the barrel, a pin striker ignites the bomb's propellant charge which then sends the bomb down range towards the target. A skilled crew is reported to be able to run between 15 to 20 rounds per minute through the Type 31.

     In the inset photograph, beneath the obliterated serial number, the wording is instructions that say to set the mortar on flat (or level) ground and align the mortar tube at 45 degrees. It could be that this is the optimal angle to achieve the most range but the PG is likely able to be elevated much higher (up to 85 degrees) and as low as 40 degrees. This is done by adjusting the legs of the bipod.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Gerbera Drone

Source: Reddit

     The purpose of a decoy, first and foremost, is to deceive. The more life-like the decoy is and assuming proper deployment and employment, it has the chance to trick the enemy into believing something that is not true. Interestingly, in military parlance, a “dummy” refers to a decoy that mimics a piece of weaponry or equipment that is in use on the battlefield. Nevertheless, the term decoy is used broadly regardless if the decoy in question is a dummy or not. The Ukrainian Army makes heavy use of decoys, notably of 155mm M777 howitzers, NASAMS surface-to-air missile systems, M142 HIMARS vehicles, and other high value military weapons. This is to preserve, as long as possible, the equipment they have from losses.

     The Russian Federation forces also make use of decoys though not to the extent the Ukrainians do. In fact, many of the photographed front line decoys put together by Russian units are not too convincing. However, the Russians are using far more realistic decoys of S-300 (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) and S-400 (SA-21 Growler) long-range surface-to-air missile systems. For example, the Russian company BalticAir offers an inflatable S-400 for $22,235...a steal in comparison to the cost of the genuine article. These decoys are being deployed in the Far East to replace actual S-300 or S-400 units which have been diverted to Ukraine and they are also seen in Crimea. However, in some instances, these decoys are easily spotted as they are placed without the accompanying vehicles associated with these missile batteries, to include separate radar, tow, and/or command post vehicles.

     Unfortunately, there is one Russian decoy that is quite difficult to differentiate from the real thing and that is shown here in the form of a downed Gerbera drone. The Gerbera (sometimes known as the Gerber) mimics the general shape of the Iranian HESA Shahed 136 loitering munition which Russia has purchased from Iran as well as the Russian license-built version, the Geran-2. Both the Shahed 136 and the Geran-2 make up the majority of the weapons deployed in Russian drone strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure as well as civilian targets. The Gerbera is reported to have first appeared in service starting in late July 2024.

     When Russia launches an air attack against Ukrainian targets, mixed into the Geran-2 and Shahed 136 munitions are Gerbera drones. Their purpose is to draw Ukrainian anti-air fire to them which allows the lethal munitions to get through to the target. Generally, the Gerbera does not carry a payload but a Ukrainian defender does not have the time to determine if the Gerbera is or is not a Geran-2 of Shahed 136 as they look much the same. This results in Ukrainian anti-air units having to expend ammunition (to include surface-to-air missiles [SAMs]) on the decoys when they could have been used against actual targets. While heavy machine-gun ammunition and light cannon ammunition is more readily available for resupply, the Ukrainian military does not have very large stocks of replacement SAMs for potent systems such as the MIM-104 Patriot, IRIS-T, MIM-23 Hawk, and NASAMS. This is one reason the Ukrainian military is using older SAMs to make up for expenditures. This includes the S-200 (SA-5 Gammon) and the even older S-125 (SA-3 Goa). In fact, Ukraine had retired the S-200 in 2013 but has since taken them out of mothballs starting in the summer of 2023.

     The Gerbera is primarily built from plywood with foam plastics to make them very inexpensive to produce, light, and also radio-frequency transparent (meaning, radio waves can pass through the drone with little to no interference). Power usually comes from a Chinese DLE60 2-stroke, 60cc ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) made by Mile Hao Xiang Technology. Some Gerbera have also been shown to use a slightly more powerful Stinger 70cc ICE made by the Chinese company RCGF Stinger Company, Ltd. Either rear mounted engine drives a wooden, 2-bladed propeller. Overall, the Gerbera is 6.6 feet long with a wingspan of 8.2 feet. This is a bit smaller than the Geran-2 which is 11 feet long but the Geran-2 shares the same wingspan as the Gerbera.

     A rather disturbing fact about the Gerbera is the number of components that are not Russian. Besides the Chinese engines, the electronics are from around the world...even from the United States. The XK-F358 mesh network (a broad band communication system for drone control) inside downed Gerbera drones has been proven to show hardware obtained from U.S. companies Analog Devices, Micron Technology, Xilinx Inc., Altera Corp., and even Texas Instruments. Other countries include Germany (Infineon Technologies), Ampleon (Netherlands), Realtek (Taiwan), and UIY, Inc. (China). Controlled radial pattern antennas and their related hardware (CPRA; used to protect GPS systems from interference/jamming) have been sourced from Analog Devices (United States), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), Integrated Silicon Solutions (United States), Monolithic Power Systems (United States), Linear Technology Corp. (United States), and again from Texas Instruments. So far, the 3-axis gimbal mounted camera used by the Gerbera comes from the Chinese company Topotek. Universal flight controllers and the hardware that goes with them is mainly Texas Instruments products. Other parts for the flight controllers has been obtained from XLSEMI (China), ATMEL Corp. (United States), U-Blox (Switzerland), STMicroelectronics (Switzerland), and NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands). Some downed Gerbera drones were found to be using Ukrainian SIM cards which permitted the drones to use Ukrainian high-speed connections for control guidance.

     Besides being a decoy, the Gerbera has also been shown to come in two other variants. The first is a loitering munition (much like the Geran-2 it mimics). At this task, it is not as successful as the Geran-2. It is believed the explosive payload is only 22 pounds compared to 198 pounds of the Geran-2. The normal decoy Gerbera has a range of around 186 miles but the loitering munition variant is thought to have a shorter range due to the added weight. Also, the camera used by the Gerbera is of a low quality, broadcasting using TV channels. It means the drone operator must manually fly the Gerbera into the target, much like a FPV drone, but without the superior maneuverability of a FPV drone. The second variant is used for reconnaissance, either using video cameras or gathering electronic data.

     As a note, the slogan scrawled on the left wing translates to “There will be no truce!”

Russo-Ukrainian War: The BMP-2M "Berezhok"

Source: saintjavelin on Instagam

     What is likely the most bizarre ersatz anti-drone defense yet created is shown here, adorning a Russian BMP-2 IFV. The photograph started making the rounds of social media in the first week of May 2025. The defense consists of multiple lengths of heavy cables which have been unwound and the stranded steel wires that make up the cable splayed out into a cone-shaped arrangement. That the cable is heavy is because the steel wires are not bending and remain in the shape they were put into.

     It can be assumed that the intent of using such an odd method is to make it very difficult for a FPV drone operator to successfully fly his or her drone into the BMP-2 without the drone's propellers striking one or more of the wires and either becoming fouled in the wires or the propeller blades being damaged or broken. It is also possible that the wires may catch on a piece of the drone body such as on the zip-ties that are usually used to secure RPG warheads to the drone (as an example). One can imagine entering or exiting the BMP-2 is a tricky affair and that the wiring could be bent back if the vehicle runs through obstacles or closer confines such as urban terrain or wooded areas. In addition to the multiple wire bristle bunches, the BMP-2 also has the far more common anti-drone cage atop the turret. It is quite high and utilizes weighted chains on the sides rather than metal screens or chain link fencing.

     As for the exact make of the BMP-2, it looks to be a BMP-2M “Berezhok”. The name refers to the B05YA01 Berezhok (meaning “Shore”) combat module that replaces the standard BMP-2 turret. The new turret retains the 2A42 30mm autocannon and co-axial PKT 7.62mm machine-gun of the original BMP-2 but adds a AG-30M (or AGS-17) 30mm automatic grenade launcher (with 300 rounds) and two launch rails on each side of the turret for the 9M133M Kornet-M (NATO reporting name AT-14 Spriggan) anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). The BMP-2M “Berezhok” does not carry any reloads for the missiles and so only the four fitted to their launch rails are available. The standard 9M133 missile, which uses SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight) laser beam riding guidance, can attain a maximum range of 3.4 miles can penetrate over 1,000mm of rolled homogeneous armor after explosive reactive armor (ERA) due to its tandem charge HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead.

     Other upgrades to the BMP-2M “Berezhok” include six 81mm Type 902V Tucha smoke grenade launchers, a R-168 aqueduct intercom system for the crew, PL-1 laser illuminator, BPK-3-42 gunner's sight, 1PZ-13 commander's sight, laser range finder, and a ballistic computer tied into a “Redut” fire control system (FCS). The FCS can maintain tracking on multiple targets and can continually update firing solutions for all of the turret's weapons. Some vehicles may be equipped with the more powerful UTD-23 engine but this is more to compensate for the added 2 tons of weight due to the turret and armor (see below) as performance is the same as the regular BMP-2.

     For armor, the BMP-2M “Berezhok” has the same level of protection as the standard BMP-2 hull but some vehicles, like this one, utilize the 675-sb3KDZ add-on armor kit. This adds slat armor panels to the vehicle sides, front (missing here), turret circumference, and rear. In addition, the hull sides and the lower glacis of the front hull are fitted with polymer NERA (Non-Explosive Reactive Armor) blocks. These NERA blocks (in addition to the steel mounting plates the blocks are connected to) allow the BMP-2M “Berezhok” to withstand impacts from 12.7mm heavy machine-gun ammunition and some smaller anti-tank grenades.

For more information on the base BMP-2, visit:

https://photosofmilitaryhistory.blogspot.com/2025/01/russo-ukrainian-war-bmp-2-141st.html

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Sukhoi Su-25M1 Grach

Source: UKR_Air_Patrol on Instagram

     Another Soviet-era aircraft seeing heavy use in the Russo-Ukrainian War is shown here, the Sukhoi Su-25 Grach (“Rook”; NATO reporting name Frogfoot). Currently, all of the Su-25 aircraft in the Ukrainian Air Force are operated by the 299th. Tactical Aviation Brigade “Vasyl Nikiforov”. The particular aircraft in the photograph (which is not recent) is “Blue 08”, a Su-25M1, that was flown by Captain Vladyslav Voloshyn until the aircraft was shot down on August 29, 2014 by a MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense System) or a SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) system during the Battle of Ilovaisk which ran from August 7 to September 2, 2014. Voloshyn successfully ejected and it took him four days to make his way back to Ukrainian lines. The Su-25M1, and variants of it, remain the mainstay of the brigade's attack aircraft. The Su-25 is a dedicated ground attack/close air support aircraft, analogous to the U.S. Air Force's Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. Production started in 1978 with the first Soviet Air Force units fielding the Su-25 beginning in 1981. The last Su-25 rolled off the manufacturing line in 2017.

     The Su-25M1 (which is a Ukrainian modernization of the standard Su-25) is powered by two Tumansky (Gavrilov) R95Sh axial-flow, non-afterburning turbojets with each engine providing a maximum of 9,037 pounds of thrust. This is enough to provide the Su-25M1 with a maximum speed of 590 miles per hour at sea level. Maximum range is around 620 miles though with 9,700 pounds of war load and two external fuel tanks, a combat range of 470 miles can be achieved. The engines provide for a rate of climb of 11,400 feet per minute and the Su-25M1 has a service ceiling of 23,000 feet.

     Befitting a ground attack/support aircraft, the Su-25 has a number of features to enable it to survive and operate. In the nose is a Kylon-PS laser rangefinder/target designator, a DISS-7 Doppler speed/drift sensor beneath the cockpit (paired to the KN-23-1 [see below]), SSP-2I fire warning system with two UBSh-4-2 fire extinguishers, ASO-2V chaff/flare dispensers, SPO-15 Beryoza (“Birch”) radar homing warning system, AKS-5 gun camera, SO-69 transponder, SRZO-2 Khrom-Nikel IFF (Identification, Friend or Foe) interrogator with a SRO-2M Khrom IFF transponder, KN-23-1 navigation suite (which includes the RSBN-6S short-range radio navigation system, ARK-15M automatic direction finder, RV-15 radio altimeter, UUAP-72 angle-of-attack indicator/accelerometer, SVS-1-72-18 air data computer, PVD-18G-3M and PVD-7 pressure probes, and a MRP-56P marker beacon receiver), R-862 transceiver, R-828 VHF transmitter-receiver, and a ASP-17BTs-8 computing gun sight.

     The pilot sits within a tub made of ABVT-20 titanium alloy armor plates which range between 10mm to 24mm thick. The pilot is provided with a K-36L ejection seat and just behind the headrest is a 6mm thick plate of steel armor secured to the bulkhead. The canopy windshield is made of 65mm thick TSK-137 triplex bulletproof glass. To see behind him, the pilot has a rear facing periscope (atop the canopy) and two rear-view mirrors in the canopy frame. Because the Su-25 is not meant for high altitude flight, the cockpit is not pressurized. The cockpit is, however, NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) protected by an overpressure system and dust filters. The pilot wears a KP-52M oxygen mask, the aircraft's oxygen system providing a oxygen mix at altitudes of 1.2 to 4.3 miles and over that, up to the Su-25's ceiling, the pilot breathes pure oxygen. In case of ejection, the seat includes a BKO-3VZ emergency oxygen system.

     Other protective systems in the Su-25M1 include 20mm thick protective material around the fuel tanks while the fuel tanks themselves are fitted with explosion-suppression polyurethane foam. The Su-25M1 has two independent hydraulic systems that operate flight controls, braking, and the landing gear and this provides for redundancy in case of damage. The engines are capable of surviving, and will continue to operate, after taking a direct hit from a 23mm cannon shell. Despite this, armor plating is fitted on the underside of the aircraft, forward of the engine cowlings, as well as around the engine exhaust zone and rear parts of the engine nacelles. Armor is also added to the rear fuselage sides as well as armor fitted to the underside of the main service fuel tank within the fuselage. Flight controls, namely the elevator control rods, are duplicated to enhance survivability. In the tailcone are two PTK-25 cruciform brake parachutes.

     The main weapon of the Su-25M1 is the VPU-17A cannon installation that consists of a single Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-2-30 twin-barrel 30mm cannon which is provided with 250 rounds of belted ammunition. The cannon has a maximum rate of fire of 3,000 rounds per minute with a range of 1.1 miles. There are eleven hardpoints (four on each wing and three centerline) on the Su-25M1 which enables the aircraft to carry up to 8,800 pounds of stores. Common weapons carried include the S-5 55mm unguided rocket, the larger S-8 80mm unguided rocket, FAB-250 (550lb.) and FAB-500 (1,100lb.) free-fall bombs, and more recently, French-made AASM HAMMER guided bombs. If available, the Su-25M1 can utilize the SPPU-22 cannon pod which is equipped with a Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 twin-barrel 23mm cannon and 260 rounds. Auxiliary fuel capacity can come from either the PTB-800 (176 gallons) or PTB-1150 (253 gallon) drop tanks. Up to four tanks can be carried.

     Specifically, the Ukrainian modernization program was carried out by MiGremont and included adding a new GPS receiver, upgrading the radio communication systems, enhancing the gun sight, and adding a digital flight data recorder. The modernization has allowed the Su-25M1 to fire the S-13 122mm unguided rockets.

     The 299th. Tactical Aviation Brigade started the Russo-Ukrainian War with twenty-four Su-25 of various models (to include two-seat trainers) operational. Since April 2023, mothballed Su-25s have been withdrawn from storage and refitted to replace losses. Another two Su-25 were obtained from Macedonia. Speaking of losses, there have been 10 confirmed Su-25 losses (based on their fuselage numbers) with nine pilots killed and one captured by Russian Federation forces. Another ten aircraft have also been reported lost (though what their fuselage numbers are isn't known) in combat and on the ground with the loss of four pilots as confirmed killed with another two pilots probable KIA. One pilot, Roman Vasyliuk, was shot down on March 14, 2022 and captured but later released on April 24, 2022 in a POW swap.

     As for Russian losses, to date, the Russian Air Force has lost thirty-eight Su-25 aircraft as confirmed by the Oryx website.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The RBU-6000 Smerch-2

 

Source: Reddit

     Early in 2023, Russian Federation forces were seen fitting armored vehicles with weapon systems taken from Russian naval ships. This was taken as a sign that Russian tactics, which took (and still do) a toll on armored vehicles, saw the inability for the Russian military to replace such losses. Thus, units took it upon themselves to scavenge various naval weapons with the most common being the 2M-3 turret that mounts two 25mm 110-P autocannons. Another relatively “popular” naval weapon seeing use is the RBU-6000 Smerch-2 which is a 12-tube, 212mm anti-submarine rocket launcher and this is shown here, burned out along with the T-72 tank it is mounted upon. The vehicle was destroyed on August 1, 2024 by an FPV drone from the Drone Battalion, 3rd. Assault Brigade. The location is Ploshchanka, Luhansk Oblast.

     The RBU-6000 has been in service since 1961 and can be found on a host of Russian warship classes. When fitted to ships, the RBU-6000 enjoys the benefits of the Burya FCS (Fire Control System) which itself is tied into the vessel's sonar system (for munition guidance), power aiming (traverse, elevation, and pitch/roll stabilization), and a below-deck automatic loading system from either a 72 or 96 round magazine. Of course, being mounted onto the hull of a T-80 tank means the RBU-6000 has to be manually aimed and loaded by the crew. The RBU-6000 can be traversed 180 degrees to the left or right of center, elevated to a maximum of 65 degrees, and depressed to a total of 15 degrees. Without power, the manual rate of traverse is 4 degrees per second.

     The RBU-6000, as an anti-submarine weapon, fires two types of rockets. The first is the 250 pound RGB-60 and this is a unguided rocket with a impact or proximity fuzed 50 pound explosive warhead. The RGB-60 has a variable range depending on how far or close the enemy submarine is. The minimum range is .2 of a mile to a maximum of 3.4 miles. Maximum depth is .3 of a mile. It is presumed that the Russians are utilizing the RGB-60 in their land-launched RBU-6000 systems as it is the least sophisticated munition the RBU-6000 fires and probably more plentiful. Plus, the RGB-60 has a larger warhead and a longer range compared to the other rocket the RBU-6000 fires. That other rocket, the 90R, is a guided weapon and uses a 43 pound shaped charge that is meant to actually strike the submarine or torpedo rather than act as a depth charge. However, it can be fitted with a proximity fuze if needed. Minimum range of the 90R is .4 of a mile to a maximum range of 2.7 miles. Regardless of the rocket type, the RBU-6000 can be set to fire a single rocket at a time, all 12 rockets simultaneously, or ripple fire 2, 4, or 8 rockets at a time.

     The tank, which appears to be a T-72B, likely had a non-operational turret which was removed and the RBU-6000 (replete with its naval vessel base) put in its place. The crew fitted anti-drone screens to the top of the launcher and what looks like the engine decking as well. Slat armor panels are on the sides and rear as well as flat upon the front glacis plate. What looks like a work platform can be seen on the front. The RBU-6000 was no doubt electrically fired using a length of cabling and aiming was likely done using the common PG-1 series panoramic telescope. However, the rather short range of the RBG-60 rocket means any vehicle mounting the RBU-6000 has to be close to the front line, making it vulnerable to attack. As a comparison, the BM-21 122mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) can fire the basic 9M22U HE-FRAG (High Explosive Fragmentation) rocket out to 12 miles. This is a possible reason some of the RBU-6000 launchers are fitted to tanks such as the T-72 seen here but also T-80 tanks.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Tula TOZ-66 Shotgun

Source: inukraine.official on Instagram

     Ukrainian troops riding in the back of a pick-up truck or similar vehicle. The soldier taking the video is showing off his anti-drone weapon of choice; a vintage Tula TOZ-66 12-gauge, side-by-side shotgun.

     The Tula Arms Plant introduced the TOZ-66 in 1968 and production ran until 1974. Nevertheless, the ruggedness of the design and having been produced in great numbers, the TOZ-66 saw widespread use well after Tula had moved on to more modern designs. As seen here, the TOZ-66 can still be found and this soldier is using it to hunt drones rather than game.

     Although the external hammers gives the 8 pound TOZ-66 an antiquated appearance, their use allows the firer to easily see if the shotgun is ready to fire. In the image, the hammers are cocked, meaning the TOZ-66 is ready to fire. Had they been uncocked, the shotgun could be carried loaded with a good measure of safety against accidental discharge. The TOZ-66 has double triggers, allowing the firer to discharge each barrel independently. 

     The TOZ-66 is a break action shotgun, meaning, to reload, the firer uses the center lever just behind the breech to unlatch the barrels which hinge downward. This downward motion engages an extractor catch which ejects the spent shells. The firer loads new shells then brings the barrels up, engaging the latch. After cocking the hammers, the TOZ-66 is ready to fire. The rate of fire is purely based on how trained the operator is in reloading.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The PKM GPMG

Source: davinciwolves on Instagram

     A machine-gunner of the 108th. Mechanized Battalion “Da Vinci Wolves”, 59th. Motorized Brigade “Yakiv Handziuk”. He is armed with a PKM general purpose machine gun (GPMG), one of the most common machine-guns in use by the Ukrainian military as well as the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Entering service in 1961 as the PK (Pulemyot Kalashnikova; Kalashnikov's machine-gun), the modernized PKM (Модернизированный; Modernized) appearing in 1969. The PKM and its variants remain in production and equip dozens of military forces around the world.

     The PKM is chambered for the Soviet 7.62x54mmR cartridge and the machine-gun uses a gas-operated, long-stroke piston, open/rotating bolt action. The open bolt assists in cooling the breech to prevent ammunition cook-off due to heat generated by automatic fire. The bolt and bolt carrier are upside down and the gas piston and the gas system are mounted beneath the barrel. The cyclic rate of fire of the PKM is 600 to 800 rounds per minute though the practical rate of fire is far less, being 250 rounds per minute. With the cartridge generating a muzzle velocity of 2,707 feet per second, the effective range of the PKM is 1,000 meters though its maximum range is 3,800 meters. Ammunition usually comes in 100-, 200-, or 250-round belts using non-disintegrating metal links with the belts kept in ammunition boxes. The 100-round belt box is considered the “assault” box as it can be attached to the bottom of the PKM. The larger belts are typically utilized when the PKM is being fired from a tripod, the tripod having mounts for the boxes. The rounds feed from the right and the spent brass ejects to the left. In practice, after firing 400 rounds in succession, the barrel is either changed out and replaced with another to give the removed barrel time to cool or the gunner ceases fire to permit the barrel to cool in place. Failure to do this risks bore wear.

     The PKM weighs a tad shy of 20 pounds which includes the detachable bipod but does not include the assault ammunition box. If a full assault box is attached, the weight increases by 8 or 7 pounds depending on if the box is the standard one or the lighter, aluminum version. Normally, aiming is done using iron sights but the PKM can be fitted with aiming optics using a side-rail bracket on the left side of the receiver. The more common optical sight used is the 1P29, a 4x magnification optic. The rear iron sight is a sliding tangent type with 100 meter increments starting at 100 meters up to 1,500 meters. The rear sight also has small side dials to adjust for windage.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Burned Out Russian "Loaf"

Source: Reddit

     No matter how many drone jammers a crew puts on their vehicle, it is no guarantee that any of them will succeed in stopping a drone attack. This is graphically illustrated here by this burned out Russian UAZ-452 series van. The crew had placed no less than four multi-channel drone jammers on each corner of the van's roof. That they were multi-channel can be told by each set having more than one antenna though the driver's side set has lost all of its antenna from the drone strike. We can see that the sets were at least 4-channel jammers, meaning, each antenna jammed a specific frequency (channel) that drones are known to operate on. The crew added a wire mesh cage which covered the front, a small portion of the sides of the van, and the portion of the roof over the front seats. Not that any of it prevented the Ukrainian drone (or drones) from successfully hitting the van.

     In part, this strike could be due to the Ukrainian FPV drone being capable of operating on multiple frequencies. If the drone detects its control signal is being degraded by an active jammer, it automatically switches to a different frequency. This is one reason both Russian and Ukrainian deployment of drone jammers on vehicles almost always incorporates more than one jammer in the hopes that a wider frequency range can be jammed. Another possibility is that the drone's video feed was jammed but the operator had already put the drone into its terminal flight path and simply kept the controls locked so that the drone still flew into the van.

     Speaking of the UAZ-452, it is a 4-wheel drive, off-road van which has been in production since 1965. Originally made for the Soviet military, the UAZ-452 can also be found in large numbers in civilian versions. The UAZ-452 is nicknamed the “Bukhanka” which means “Loaf” due to its shape that looks like a loaf of bread. Because the Russian logistical complex is unable to adequately provide units with military transport or even armored personnel carriers to replace losses, Russian troops have been using the UAZ-452 and its variants more and more as front-line transport and in some cases, as assault vehicles with disastrous consequences.

     It is probable the burned out remains is a UAZ-39625, one of the more recent versions of the original UAZ-452. It can seat 8 and the van is powered by a 2.7-liter petrol engine that develops 112 horsepower. This is paired to a manual transmission with a 5-speed gearbox and a 2-speed transfer case. On roads, the UAZ-39625 can reach a maximum of 79 miles per hour and 55 miles per hour, the van consumes 3.6 gallons of fuel every 62 miles. Total fuel capacity is 20 gallons.

Russo-Ukrainian War: "Garpiya" 8-Channel Drone Jammer

Source: Krasnaya Zvezda

     With the inability of Russian logistics to adequately supply Russian Federation troops in the field with counter-drone equipment, it is not unusual that those troops who have the wherewithal purchase their own equipment off the civilian market or campaign via social media for donations either in funds for the unit to buy the gear or equipment is purchased by donors who then send it to the unit. Either way, the drone jammer seen here is one available on the Russian civilian market.

     Called the “Гарпия” ("Garpiya" meaning “Harpy”), the jammer can generate interference on eight drone channels via a 400 total watt output capacity. Each of the omidirectional antennas broadcasts the interference in a set band or the operator can elect to use a single directional panel antenna. The “Harpy” is offered in two versions, the difference being what frequencies the jammer operates against. The frequency in parenthesis is the primary frequency for that range. The first version targets drone control frequencies using 428 to 438MHz (433MHz), 860 to 930MHz (900MHz), 1,180 to 1,430MHz (1.2GHz), 1,380 to 1,430MHz (1.4GHz), 1,550 to 1,620MHz (1.5GHz), 2,400 to 2,500MHz (2.4GHz), 5,150 to 5,350MHz (5.2GHz), and 5,725 to 5,850MHz (5.8GHz). The second version targets frequencies between 300 to 400MHz (350MHz), 380 to 480MHz (459MHz), 500 to 650MHz (600MHz), 640 to 750MHz (700MHz), 750 to 920MHz (800MHz), 910 to 1,100MHz (1GHz), 2,390 to 2,500MHz (2.4GHz), and 5,720 to 5,860MHz (5.8MHz). The “Harpy” consumes 500 watts of power and it uses a 20 amp hour battery. This gives the “Harpy” approximately 8 hours of usage between battery changes or recharge.

     The pack weighs 35 pounds and the maximum range is 1.2 miles though this can be impacted by terrain and other conditions. If operating where mobile network signal is dense, the range of the “Harpy” is degraded. The “Harpy” does include anti-interference technology to combat electronic countermeasures (ECM). To keep the entire system cool, the pack incorporates heat sinks and cooling fans. Finally, the operator is provided with a remote control pad for the “Harpy”, tied into the unit via a cable. This permits the operator to use the “Harpy” without having to take it off his back.

     The weapon the soldier is using looks to be a TOZ-34 over-under shotgun. It does appear he is using 12-gauge shells, likely #00 buckshot.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Ukrainian Triple-Mount RPK-74

Source: Global Images Ukraine.

     One of the main components of Russia's aerial raids against Ukrainian infrastructure (power plants, factories, electrical distribution centers, etc.) and civilian targets is the Geran-2, the Russian version of the Iranian HESA Shahed 136 loitering munition. The Geran-2 is relatively cheap at a single unit cost of no more than $80,000 for the current model. As such, they can be launched enmasse (and  usually in combination with other weapons, such as cruise missiles) in order to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses and ensure successful strikes. A component of Ukrainian air defense comprises rapid response anti-drone units which, upon receiving the flight paths for Russian drones, deploy in or near the flight paths to engage them with an array of light, medium, and heavy machine-guns mounted on trucks. Given the 115 miles per hour top speed of a Geran-2, utilizing machine-guns to shoot down the drones is a viable (and cost effective) method. In some cases, static anti-drone defenses are set up around valuable targets or as a secondary layer of defense against any drones which get through the mobile anti-drone units as illustrated here. One of the techniques to increase the chances of a successful hit against drones is to simply throw as many bullets as possible into the path of the drone and hope one or more of the rounds strike the drone to such a degree as to down it. And so this anti-drone mount holds three RPK-74 light machine-guns.

     Introduced into Soviet Army service in 1974, the RPK-74 is chambered for the Soviet 5.45x39mm round and all three of the RPK-74 weapons are secured to a metal frame which permits a high degree of elevation (very useful for anti-air duties) which in turn is fitted to a heavy tripod. To the right of the central RPK-74 is a shoulder stock which the gunner can use to stabilize the mount, assist in absorbing recoil, and guide the mount when traversing and elevating. Below the shoulder stock is a trigger which permits the gunner to fire all three RPK-74s at the same time. Between the center and outer right RPK-74 is a ring sight and given the electrical cord, it is possible that a night sight or a spotlight is connected to the gun mount to aid the gunner in acquiring his target. The basket, though empty, is likely for keeping additional magazines to speed reloading. Speaking of magazines, the RPK-74 can utilize either a 30- or 45-round box magazine.

     Using a gas operated, rotating closed bolt action, the RPK-74 is capable of firing up to 600 rounds per minute. Assuming the 45-round magazine, a single RPK-74 can empty the magazine in 3.5 seconds. So, with three RPK-74 weapons firing in unison, this means the gunner can send 135 rounds towards the target in those same 3.5 seconds. With a muzzle velocity of 3,149 feet per second, the 5.45x39mm round has an effective range of .6 of a mile (1,000 meters) if using saturation fire. The bullet itself can travel as far as 2 miles but accuracy is about nil at such a distance. Given the short effective range, this particular anti-drone weapon arrangement relies on the Geran-2 to be flying at low altitude (it can fly as low as 197 feet) and close to the gun emplacement for a realistic chance of the gunner being successful in his engagement. Otherwise, it really does become a “fill the sky with lead” in the direction of the drone and hope to get a very lucky hit. Fortunately, some Geran-2 do fly at low altitudes to make detection more difficult and to lower the window of time the defenders have to engage before the drones move out of range or lines of sight get blocked by terrain and terrain features.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Russian T-80BVN, Central Military District

Source: Evgeny Biyatov, Sputnik Media Bank

     A Russian T-80BVN belonging to a unit within the Central Military District, operating somewhere near Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast on September 28, 2024. One of five such military districts in Russia, a good number of its subordinate units have been deployed to Ukraine. This includes elements from the 2nd. and 41st. Guards Combined Arms Army and the 25th. Combined Arms Army.

     The crew of this particular T-80BVN have added a sizable anti-drone cage to the turret, portions of which overhang the front and rear hull. The camouflage netting obscures much of what comprises the cage though through the gap, one can see lengths of chain hanging down. These have become a common method for anti-drone defenses as the chains, with their weight, have the capability of breaking the rotors and/or rotor pylons of FPV drones. The cage uses fencing elsewhere with the chains forming a portion of the cage that allows the commander and gunner to enter and exit the tank. Shorter lengths of chain hang down from the bottom edges of the front facing portion of the cage (visible in another photograph of the same tank).

     Along the sides of the tank is a long strip of rubberized material (most often conveyor belts) which is a simple form of appliqué armor which provides a small measure of protection to the turret ring. The T-80BVM does have rear mounted slat armor as standard but here, the crew has added more slat armor panels and it appears that they have created a raised anti-drone cover over the engine deck but the camouflage netting covers much of it. Barely visible are rubber panels, with heavy netting, secured to the edges of the turret's front mounted Relikt explosive reactive armor panels.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Knocked Out Russian BTR-82A

Source: Reddit.

     A knocked out Russian BTR-82A IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), photographed sometime in the late spring or early summer of 2024. Of note is the Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks placed as best possible on the turret, hull front, and sides of the vehicle. ERA is not something the BTR-82A is normally fitted with, hence the haphazard placement. The crew also added slat armor, a single (and scorched) panel seen on the right side and another just visible on the left side near the driver's hatch. Despite all the added defense, it did not stop the BTR-82A from being put out of action. The BTR-82A is an improved version of the similar looking BTR-80A and it first appeared to the public as a prototype in 2009. By 2013, the Russian Ministry of Defense officially accepted the BTR-82A for service.

     Power for the 16-ton 8x8 wheeled BTR-82A comes from a KamAZ-740.14-300 diesel engine that develops 300 horsepower and is paired to a fixed-ratio, manual transmission. This permits the BTR-82A to obtain a top road speed of 50 miles per hour. Off-road, the speed is lower though cross-country performance is assisted by a central tire inflation system (CTIS) and heavy duty shock absorbers. The BTR-82A is amphibious and can achieve a top water speed of 6 miles per hour in calm water. Rear-mounted water jet provides propulsion. Enough fuel is carried to permit a maximum cruise range of 435 miles.

     The primary armament is a 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon mounted in a unmanned turret. The 2A72 uses a dual-feed and typically has a combination of AP-T (Armor-Piercing Tracer) and HE-I (High-Explosive Incendiary) ammunition to permit the gunner to engage different target types. Total ammunition capacity for the cannon is 300 rounds. The HE-I ammunition has an effective range of 1.2 miles (and against slow, low-flying aircraft,  2.5 miles) while the AP-T ammunition can defeat up to 25mm of armor at a 60 degree slope from a maximum range of .6 of a mile. Fitted co-axially is a 7.62mm PKTM machine-gun which is provided with 2,000 rounds. The weapons are fitted to a 2-plane, electro-mechanical stabilizer with the turret providing 360 degrees of traverse while the gun mount offers 70 degrees of elevation and 5 degrees of depression. Traverse speed of the turret is up to 6 degrees per second. The gunner is provided with a TKN-4GA-01 day/night sight and FCS (Fire Control System) which permits engagement from the halt or on the move. The commander is provided with a TKN-AI surveillance camera, that includes a laser rangefinder, for locating targets out to a maximum range of 1.9 miles. On each side of the BTR-82A's hull are three firing ports for the crew and/or passengers to utilize their small arms.

     The BTR-82A has improved laminate armor over the BTR-80A's hardened steel but what thickness (or equivalent) it has isn't fully known. It is very likely on par with STANAG 4569 Level III armor protection which means it can defeat up to 7.62x54Rmm API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) ammunition at 30 meters and 155mm shell fragments at 60 meters. As for mines, it can protect the vehicle's occupants from mines with up to 18 pounds of explosive. Additional protection to the crew of  three (commander, driver, and gunner) and passengers (up to 7 infantrymen) is provided by interior spall liners and a reinforced, multi-layer floor along with blast resistant seats. Finally, an automatic fire suppression system equips the BTR-82A as well as a 902V Tucha 81mm smoke grenade launcher system with six launchers mounted on the turret front. 

     Other equipment includes a R-168-25-U2 digital radio system with encryption, Trona-1 topographic orientation system (which taps into independent satellites for navigational data) to enhance the vehicle's navigation system which uses the Russian GLONASS global positioning system (and can also use the NavStar GPS), APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) to permit the BTR-82A to function with the engine off, heating/air-conditioning system, bilge pump, and a NBC system (using over-pressure).