Russo-Ukrainian War: Training with Airsoft

Source: Sky News Ukraine

     Two Ukrainian soldiers photographed during training sometime in July 2025. The wire mesh goggles and mask worn by the soldier in the foreground might look very familiar to people who participate in airsoft games. Airsoft, which first started in Japan in the 1970s, is now played around the world and it consists of teams competing against each other with the sides utilizing airsoft weapons which fire 6mm spherical pellets. The Ukrainian Army, as far back as 2023, began using airsoft firearms to conduct training. Specifically, they are using AEG airsoft weapons.

     AEG, standing for Automatic Electric Gun, is the most common type of powered airsoft weapon. Based on airsoft spring guns (the cheapest type of airsoft weapon...requiring the firer to cock the weapon after each shot), the AEG uses a rechargeable battery pack to power an electric motor which handles the task of charging the weapon. As such, many AEG weapons are selective fire, permitting the operator to shoot single shot, 3-round burst fire, or conduct fully automatic fire. The typical AEG has a muzzle velocity of between 300 to 390 feet per second with an average range of around 200 feet. Getting struck by a 6mm pellet is said to feel like getting a sharp pinch.

     So, why use airsoft? It offers a number of advantages with the most obvious being safety and the prevention of serious injury. As the Ukrainian Army is at a disadvantage in regards to manpower versus the Russian Federation, airsoft reduces the chances of death or critical injury if the training is being conducted with small arms ammunition (even blanks can be deadly). Given that many AEG airsoft guns are externally replicas of genuine assault rifles, it provides the recruit or soldier with practical experience in handling the weapon. Likewise, AEG weapons are relatively inexpensive compared to their real counterparts and the cost of 6mm ammunition is far cheaper than small arms cartridges.

     Another obvious advantage is it permits realistic combat training that encompasses the broad spectrum of battlefield tactics across various terrain and situations. OPFOR (Opposition Forces) can be utilized to engage soldiers in combat simulations without much risk of harm during firefights which makes such “live fire” training far more real where there is no mistaking being struck and thus trainees can experience what it is to take “casualties” and how to deal with such situations. Also, airsoft training is more economical in comparison to using MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) equipment which is expensive, cumbersome for infantrymen to wear the required sensors in addition to their regular combat loads, and requires lasers to be fitted to weapons. This, in addition to the time needed to maintain MILES gear and replacement cost for damaged lasers and sensors.

     Airsoft, while providing limited benefit to marksmanship, is no replacement for training with actual battle rifles on shooting ranges with live ammunition...all under the guidance of instructors who can assist the soldier within the relative safety of a controlled environment.

     The AEG rifles shown in the photograph are replicas of the Colt M4A1 CQBR (Close Quarter Battle Receiver) using SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) accessories, notably the Knight's Armament Company rail interface system (NSN: 1005-01-416-1089) as the rifle's forearm. What make the AEGs are cannot be told with any certainty but Specna Arms is a possible candidate, if only by the design of the magazine.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Mikoyan MiG-29, 204th. Tactical Aviation Brigade

Source: Reddit

     A Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) belonging to the 204th. Tactical Aviation Brigade “Oleksandr Pokryshkin”.  The unit actually has two honorifics, the first being “Sevastopol”, which it received in 1996. As such, the unit is sometimes referred to as the 204th. Sevastopol Tactical Aviation Brigade “Oleksandr Pokryshkin”. The brigade first formed in 1992, following Ukrainian independence, when personnel of the former Soviet 62nd. Mixed Aviation Regiment swore an oath to Ukraine. This unit had been based in Sevastopol, hence the honorific.

     The unit's other honorific, received in 2018, is that of Soviet World War Two ace Alexander Ivanovich Pokryshkin who ended the war with 45 individual victories. Some of the kills were earned while flying over Ukraine starting in July 1943. His tally during this time included a Messerschmitt Bf 109 (flown by German ace Hans Ellendt), two Junkers Ju 88A-4 bombers (and one claimed), and two Junkers Ju 87D-5 dive bombers.

     At present, the brigade is commanded by Colonel Meretin Viktor Petrovych. The unit has two squadrons, the 1st. and 2nd. Aviation Squadrons which are made up of three flights. Regarding the current Russo-Ukrainian War, a notable aircraft loss of the unit involved Lieutenant Colonel Vadim Voroshilov, who uses the callsign “Karaya” (which, incidentally, was the same as used by Major Erich Hartmann, the most successful fighter ace in World War Two with 352 aerial kills). On October 12, 2022, Voroshilov was involved in night combat over Vinnytsia Oblast where he engaged Shahed-136 and Geran-2 (the Russian version) drones. However, the explosion of a Geran-2 following a successful engagement sent debris into the nose of his MiG-29 (a Fulcrum-C variant) that shattered the canopy and started a cockpit fire. Voroshilov managed to steer his stricken away from the city of Vinnytsia before ejecting. The plane came down near Turbiv, Vinnytsia Oblast. Some buildings were damaged by debris and power was knocked out but there were no civilian injuries. Voroshilov, following ejection, used his smartphone to take a selfie and that, despite having a bloody face, showed that he was alive.

For more information on the Mikoyan MiG-29, visit:

https://photosofmilitaryhistory.blogspot.com/2025/04/russo-ukrainian-war-mikoyan-mig-29.html

28cm Haubitze L/12: Vintage Siege Howitzer

     On June 2, 1942, the Germans launched Operation Störfang (Sturgeon Catch) to take the Russian held port city of Sevastopol once and for all. Rather than launch conventional attacks as before which got them nowhere, the Germans instead elected for siege warfare, intending to pound the defenders into submission using heavy artillery before sending in ground forces. To do this, the 306. Artilleriekommando der Armee (Army Artillery Command) assembled the biggest siege guns and heavy artillery that could be had under the 11. Armee. All together, nine artillery battalions and three heavy and railroad artillery batteries came together, including elements from Artillerie-Bataillon 672 which fielded the massive 80cm Schwerer Gustav railway gun, Schweres Mörser-Bataillon 833 which operated two of the huge 60cm Karl-Gerät self-propelled siege mortars, and Schwere Artillerie-Batterie 459 that operated the sole remaining Krupp built 42cm Gamma-Gerät siege gun. Also in that number was Artillerie-Bataillon 744 and this unit and the guns it was equipped with is the subject of the photograph.

     Obscured by gun smoke and dust kicked up after firing is one of two 28cm Haubitze L/12 ( H L/12) heavy siege howitzers operated by Artillerie-Bataillon 744 during Operation Störfang. The gun was originally designed as a coastal howitzer (Küstenhaubitze) that was to be placed near critical coastal infrastructure and it was designed to fire projectiles at a high-angle so as to come down onto the thinner armor of a warship's decking rather than the much thicker belt armor (meaning, the sides). As a coastal defense gun, it was mounted on a turntable set into concrete and to protect the gun and crew, it had a 60mm thick armored dome fitted to it. The entire assembly was called the Mittelpivotlafette C/92 (Center Pivot Mount C/92). The H L/12 entered service in 1892 with a four gun battery being deployed in Tsingtao, China to defend the German colony there while another battery protected the ports of Wilhelmshaven and Blankenberge in Belgium. The only other user of the howitzer was Portugal who bought several of the guns in 1902 to protect the port of Lisbon. While the exact number of howitzers built by Krupp isn't known, some survived World War One and remained in the hands of the Reichswehr and ultimately it is believed nineteen examples were still on inventory at the start of World War Two. Long by this time, the howitzer had passed into obsolescence when the ranges of main guns mounted on warships exceeded that of the howitzer. Still, the artillery forces of the Wehrmacht lacked heavy siege guns and so a small number were pulled from static defensive locations in order to deploy them in the field. To do this required significant manpower, effort, and time.

     To transport the H L/12 required four loads: the barrel, the cradle, the gun mounting, and the components of the wooden ground platform. Once a suitable firing position was selected, a pit was dug and once that was completed, the wooden platform was assembled within the pit. After the platform was completed, the gun mount was fitted and secured down on the platform then the gun cradle and finally the barrel itself was installed. All together, to set up a single howitzer took between three to four days. The length of the H L/12 was 11.1 feet and the combat weight was 49.5 tons. The gun mounting provided a full 360 degree rotation thanks to a turntable situated on the bottom of the mounting. The maximum elevation of the gun was 65 degrees but the mounting provided no gun depression. The H L/12 used a horizontal sliding block breech and was percussion fired. Recoil absorption was by way of two hydraulic-pneumatic recuperator cylinders with additional absorption coming from the inclined plane of the gun mounting. The howitzer only fired one type of ammunition, the 28cm Sprenggranate L/3.5 high-explosive shell that weighed 772 pounds. To effect the maximum range of 6.5 miles, a seven-part powder charge that weighed 38 pounds was used. The H L/12 was not overly accurate and the effective range was a bit less at 6.2 miles. Against ships, the shell was able to penetrate 100mm of desk armor at a 63 degree angle. To facilitate loading, a crane was fitted to the gun mount and a trained crew could fire one round every one to four minutes. While the lack of accuracy of the H L/12 was an issue against mobile warships, against stationary targets like a city, the howitzer was more than effective in delivering its share of devastation.

     All told, the artillery amassed under 11. Armee dropped 46,750 tons of ordnance on Sevastopol and when the Germans took the city on July 4, 1942, only eleven buildings still stood without damage following both the artillery bombardment and the aerial bombing campaign. Although a German victory, the Germans suffered 27, 412 casualties and the Romanians 8,454 casualties in comparison to 118,000 Soviet casualties.

     The H L/12 howitzers would appear again in combat, this time during the Warsaw Uprising which commenced on August 1, 1944. There, the howitzers contributed to the purposeful destruction of Warsaw during the combat (which ended on October 2, 1944) and afterwards. By January 1945, some 85% of Warsaw was destroyed. The scale of the destruction was immense with 10,455 buildings, 923 historical buildings, 25 churches, 12 libraries, 81 primary schools, 64 high schools, and 2 universities being razed to the ground.

Char B1 (n° 309) “Rhône”: Scuttled in Beaumont

Source: Author's Collection

     What is left of No.309 “Rhône” in the streets of Beaumont, France. Built by Renault, this Char B1 bis was issued to the 37th. BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat; Combat Tank Battalion), 1st. Company on September 27, 1939. On May 16, 1940, remnants of the 37th. BCC retreated into Beaumont and were without fuel for their tanks and with no petrol forthcoming, it was decided to scuttle the unit’s tanks and to make for the French lines on foot. 

     “Rhône” was set ablaze and the subsequent explosion blew the turret off the tank. Unfortunately, the blaze from the tank spread to nearby homes, setting them aflame. It was not until the following day did the fires burn out. 

     “Rhône” had been commanded by Sub-Lieutenant André Marsais with the remainder of the crew being Master Corporal Emile Tourmetz (driver), Sergeant Jacques Tapol (radio operator), Private Defremy (gunner), and Private Feuillatre (mechanic).

Russo-Ukrainian War: The BPAK Vampire Bomber Drone

Source: Florent Vergnes

     A staple of Ukrainian UAV forces is the bomber drone. As the designation suggests, these drones are designed to deliver lethal payloads to the enemy and, if need be, bring needed supplies to friendly troops. Bomber drones are much larger than their smaller FPV drone counterparts and unlike FPV drones, bomber drones are meant to return to their bases once their mission is completed. There, they are readied for the next operation. Collectively, the various bomber drone types used by the Ukrainian military are nicknamed “Baba Yaga” by Russian troops who are unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of the drone's payloads. The “Baba Yaga” bomber drone shown in the photograph is the BPAK Vampire.

     The Vampire is a six-rotor hexacopter design with a weight believed to be around 40 pounds and a production cost of around $10,000USD per unit. It has a payload capacity of no more than 33 pounds. Offensive payloads can include grenades, mortar bombs (up to 120mm), and PG-7 85mm warheads (used with the RPG-7). If required, the Vampire can carry a single TM series land mine if being utilized for area denial missions. The Vampire is primarily operated nocturnally thanks to the drone being fitted with a bispectral camera (which includes thermal). Navigation is aided by a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antenna. The top speed of the Vampire is 62 miles per hour and if carrying a payload, maximum speed is 37 miles per hour. The Vampire's operating altitude is 1,640 feet and in ideal conditions, the maximum communication range between the drone and the operator's controller is 25 miles. Batteries provide the Vampire with a maximum endurance of 45 minutes when empty and if carrying a payload of 22 pounds, the endurance drops to 30 minutes. The operational range is no more than 12 miles. Typical training time for Vampire operator recruits is three hours to become competent in basic flight tasks.

     A common non-combat use for the Vampire is resupplying Ukrainian troop positions where regular logistical vehicles would be hard pressed to access (or can't). Another use, though much less common, is fire-fighting using custom designed bombs filled with water. The Vampire has also been used for humanitarian operations, notably following the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, by delivering supplies to civilians cut off from ground-based rescuers. 

     Vampire missions can involve multiple sorties against Russian targets. Once the drone drops its payload, it returns to its base. There, the batteries are swapped out for fresh ones, the drone rearmed, and it is sent out again. Usually, reconnaissance drones identify Russian targets and then units operating the Vampire in the area are contacted with the information. Thus, with confirmed targets, only then are the bomber drones sent out. Depending on the level of activity, operators of the Vampire can fly multiple missions per night. One drone operator with the 100th. Mechanized Brigade flew his Vampire on 27 sorties in a single night.

     The Vampire is not armored but has proven to be resilient against Russian small arms fire, being capable of returning to base with damage from bullet strikes. It is also resistant to Russian frequency jamming. Another protective measure is that if communication between the Vampire and its operator is broken, the drone will automatically return to its point of origin.

Postkraftwagenfahrer, Deutsche Reichspost

     The Deutsche Reichspost (DRP) can trace its roots to 1880 when postal services were put under the authority of the Reichspostamt (Reichs Post Office) led by the Generalpostmeister (Postmaster General). The DRP, not surprisingly, has a long history. In regards to women, the DRP, when first formed, did not permit women as employees unless they were the widow of a postal worker or relatives of a male postal worker. The reasoning, at the time, was that women could not exercise the needed official authority nor protect the confidentiality of postal mail. In 1919, the Reichspostamt was superseded by the Reichspostministerium (Reich Ministry of Post) which remained in existence until May 1945. The Postminister for the majority of World War Two was Wilhelm Ohnesorge though Julius Dorpmüller served as the Postminister under the extremely brief Flensburger Regierung (Flensburg Government) which assumed power following the suicide of Reichschancellor Adolf Hitler and lasted from May 2, 1945 to May 23, 1945.

     As noted above, women did find employ in the DRP and while their roles in it did grow over time, the DRP was still heavily weighted towards male employees. But as World War Two commenced and the German military was committed further and further, women soon found themselves with ample opportunity for employ not only in the DRP but other civil services such as the Reichsbahn (State Railways) and in the Zollgrenzschutz (Customs/Border Guards). The main reason for these opportunities was due to more and more men being called up for military service. Delivery of the mail was of vital importance, not only for government communication, but for civilians and the military. Postal mail was often the only way for soldiers to stay in touch with loved ones back home as well as receive letters and parcels from home while away on campaign. This was done through coordination with the Wehrmacht's Feldpost (Field Post) military mail service. In fact, on April 1, 1940, discounted postal rates, to include free postage for some mailings, were instituted for shipments to and from the military. To illustrate this, a Reichspostministerium report showed that in 1943 alone, approximately 7,652,000 pieces of mail (letters, parcels, etc.) transited to and from the Feldpost system.

     The photograph depicts a female postal worker, specifically, a Postkraftwagenfahrer, or Post Truck Driver. That she is a full functionary DRP employee, and not an auxiliary, can be told by the fact she is wearing the DRP uniform with rank insignia. This consisted of a dark blue beret with orange piping, a dark blue jacket, black trousers, and black shoes. The sleeve patch reads Deutsche Reichspost in a Fraktur-like script and has a blue background with the lettering and the adler (eagle) in yellow thread. Her rank, that of Postjungbote (literally “Post Boy”), is denoted by the black collar tabs while her truck driver status is told by the metal postal truck centered and pinned through the tabs. Underneath the jacket is a dark colored blouse and a black tie. She is likely entering information into a log book though what vehicle she is driving cannot be readily identified. The DRP utilized numerous models of trucks and cars including the Phänomen Granit 25, Mercedes-Benz L2500 and 2750 series trucks, Hansa-Lloyd Merkur trucks, and Volkswagen Type 82 (Kübelwagen) and Type 83 (“Käfer“ or Beetle) cars modified into Kastenwagens (box trucks) among others.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Robotized Complexes Plyushch UGV

Source: Robotized Complexes

     Even to the more casual follower of the Russo-Ukrainian War, it is clear that the conflict is very much dominated by electronic warfare (EW). The heavy deployment of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and FPV (First Person View) drones by both sides in the war have shown the militaries of the world that no longer are UAVs just pure reconnaissance platforms and that effective drones and UAVs are no longer the province of military forces with massive budgets. The Ukrainian Army, by necessity, has revolutionized UAV and drone usage. In part, this is to create a low cost, but effective, force multiplier that permits the Ukrainian military to extend strike capability far into Russia. It also permitted the Ukrainian Navy to reassert dominance in the Black Sea where sea-going drones (USVs or Unmanned Surface Vehicles) have kept the Russian Black Sea Fleet impotent. Advancements in remote operated self-defense weapons on Ukrainian USVs has seen Russian aviation finding that attempting to destroy Ukrainian USVs is a risky prospect. The Ukrainian Army has been expanding the usage of UGVs, or Unmanned Ground Vehicles, to extend the capabilities of Ukrainian drone operations as well as defensive, offensive, and logistical support tasks. An example of the former is shown here, the Plyushch (“Plush”).

     Developed and built by Robotized Complexes, the Plyushch is a UGV that is designed to work in cooperation with Ukrainian UAV and drone units. The tracked vehicle is equipped with an electro-hydraulic motor that, at full charge, provides for a range of just shy of 25 miles (24.8 miles). Top speed is 5.5 miles per hour. By not having a internal combustion engine, the Plyushch enjoys a measure of stealth due to the lack of engine noise. The Plyushch is not light, having a weight of a bit over 1,700 pounds (1,708lb. to be exact). Using a commercially available 5.8GHz radio system and ground controller built by SIYI (a division of the Chinese company Reebot Robotics), the Plyushch can be remote controlled from as far away as 6 miles in open terrain. The Plyushch's small size makes it easily transportable and deployed quickly to where needed while that same small size provides for a level of concealment from detection.

     Of course, the main “weapon” of the Plyushch is a collapsible/telescoping mast antenna atop the vehicle's hull. It takes 1 minute, 20 seconds for the antenna to fully deploy and only a minute to return to travel order. At full extension, the mast is 32.8 feet high. The top of the antenna houses electronic equipment for two purposes...though for operational security, the specifics and capabilities of both have not been disclosed. The first purpose is for radio relay and this is used to extend the signal range of command channels of drones. This allows drones to loiter over the battlefield at further distances than would otherwise be possible without a relay. By consequence, this allows the drone operator to be further away from the front line and thus enjoying a measure of enhanced protection from detection and retaliation if spotted. Also, the use of the Plyushch as a relay means improved signal in areas where signal infrastructure is damaged or degraded, terrain lessens signal range, or Russian jamming is heavy. The second purpose is as a EW platform, jamming communication and navigation frequencies utilized by Russian UAVs and drones.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Drone Strike on M1991 MRLS

Video Source: ukraine_defense on Instagram

     What is shown here is a unbelievable sequence of screenshots taken from video transmitted by drones operated by the 413th. UAV Battalion “Raid”. The target is a M1991 240mm MRLS (Multiple Rocket Launch System) operated by a Russian crew. The M1991, built by North Korea, was first confirmed in use by Russian rocket forces in April 2025. What follows is the timeline of the attack.

1) The M1991, detected by a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone, is followed to what is probably a hide for the vehicle. The whitish appearance of the rocket tubes indicates heavy usage.

2) At this point, the 413th. Battalion's FPV drone arrives and commences the attack on the M1991.

3) Of course, the most damage can be caused by hitting the launcher and so the drone operator targets it...

4) ...and the drone fires a charge into the launcher's rear. The reconnaissance drone, loitering overhead, remains to assess the damage.

5) The strike almost immediately causes one of the rockets to launch, which rips through the cab of the M1991, the exhaust from the solid fuel motor engulfing the vehicle in flame. It also incinerates the drone.

6) Amazingly, both of the crewmen in the cab survive, bailing out of the vehicle (their uniforms have been burnt away), and running off before the entire M1991 detonates in a massive explosion.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30

Source: Reddit

     A Ukrainian gun truck crew, photographed sometime in 2025, looking after their weapon: the Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 30mm autocannon. Entering service in 1954, the NR-30 is exclusively a weapon utilized in Soviet-era aircraft which included the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (NATO reporting name Farmer), early models of the MiG-21 (Fishbed), the Sukhoi Su-7 (Fitter-A), and the Sukhoi Su-17 (Fitter). It is the latter where this weapon likely came from as the Ukrainian Air Force operated the Su-17M3 (Fitter-H), Su-17EM3 (Fitter-G), and Su-17M4 (Fitter-K) until 2004 when some 24 of the UM3 and M4 aircraft were overhauled and sold off to Yemen and Vietnam while the remainder were put into storage, dispersed between facilities in Odesa and Zaporizhia. As such, since these airframes are likely no longer airworthy or worth the effort to return to service, stripping their weapons for ground use is a logical option to “recycle” old components.

     The NR-30 is a short-recoil action autocannon with a weight of 145 pounds without ammunition. Speaking of ammunition, the NR-30 fires a 30x155mm round which was replaced by the 30X165mm round that remains in use to this day. As such, the NR-30 is not compatible with these rounds, making supply a potential issue since most of the Ukrainian Army uses the 30X165mm round in their BMP-2 IFVs, BTR-82A IFVs, BMP-3 IFVs, and 2K22 Tunguska SPAAGs. Likewise, the Ukrainian Air Force and Army Air Force use the round in the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 (Fulcrum), Sukhoi Su-25 (Frogfoot), and Mil Mi-24 helicopter gunships (Hind).

     Rate of fire is between 850 to 1,000 rounds per minute with the effective range (when mounted in aircraft) being a relatively short 200 to 800 meters against aerial targets and 1.1 miles against ground targets. Again, when used in aircraft, the NR-30 was usually provided with 70 rounds of belted ammunition. Typical ammunition types include the BR AP (Armor-Piercing), the OFZ HE-I (High Explosive Incendiary), and LP training projectiles. The OFZ round contains between 40 to 48 grams of explosive while all rounds had between 95 to 99 grams of VBP smokeless powder propellant.

     If one looks closely, one can see two blue gauges and a heavy hose coming from what is possibly a regulator valve. The hose runs underneath the custom fabricated gun mount. The valve is no doubt connected to a compressed air cylinder and the reason for this arrangement is because the NR-30 requires such an apparatus for operating the cocking cylinder to initially charge the weapon. Called pneumatic tensioning, the initial action triggers the recoil accelerator that unlocks the chamber and pushes the breech block backwards where it is held in place by a trigger. This action advances a round into the breech. The compressed air then releases the breech block forward, chambering the round, and the NR-30 is then ready to fire. 

Russo-Ukrainian War: The IRM Zhuk

Source: Reddit

     Engineering vehicles, while not glamorous nor getting the limelight of photographic coverage, are an important component of ground forces and the Ukrainian Army is no exception. This particular vehicle, photographed sometime in early June 2025, is fairly rare in Ukrainian service though it has a rather unique purpose. Called the IRM Zhuk, the IRM stands for Inzhenernaya Razvedyvatel'naya Mashina (Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle) while Zhuk means “Beetle”. A Soviet-era vehicle, the IRM entered production in 1980 and by 1986, only 50 IRMs rolled off the line. What makes the IRM rather unique is that it is optimized for route reconnaissance. U.S. Army manual FM 3-90 Tactics defines route reconnaissance as an “operation to obtain detailed information of a specified route and all terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along that route.” Where able, the U.S. Army would deploy engineer reconnaissance as they have the expertise to evaluate the terrain, bridges, tunnels, roads, trails, gap/water crossings, and other infrastructure to determine not only enemy potential to target assets on the route but also if the selected route is capable of being traversed by follow-on units. To that end, the IRM Zhuk is outfitted to accommodate such a task.

     The 19-ton IRM is based on the BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle but has a lengthened hull with seven road wheels per side rather than the BMP-1's six road wheels. Power comes from a UTD-20 inline 6-cylinder, water cooled diesel engine that generates 300 horsepower and this provides a top road speed of 32 miles per hour. The IRM is amphibious and mounted on the rear hull are two, 3-bladed propellers within cowls. In calm water, the IRM has a maximum water speed of 6 miles per hour. There is a trim vane on the hull front to keep water off the upper hull. With 158 gallons of fuel, the maximum operational range is 310 miles.

     For protection, the IRM uses all-welded, steel armor but the exact level of defense is not easily obtained but it is thought the maximum thickness is 19mm. This provides the six man crew (commander, driver, and four engineers) with a measure of defense against some small arms and shell splinters. Other protective measures include a NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) overpressure-type system (with scrubber) and smoke screen generator. The latter is accomplished by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust where the fuel vaporizes on the hot exhaust, condenses, then cools which forms a white smoke cloud. Finally, the IRM is equipped with automatic fire extinguishers.

     The only defensive armament consists of a turret mounted 7.62mm PKT machine-gun which is provided with 1,000 rounds in 50-round ammunition belts. Aiming is manual and done using iron post sights. The crew, of course, can utilize their own small arms to defend the vehicle.

     Of course, as a engineering reconnaissance vehicle, the IRM has a lot of tools to perform its tasks. Firstly, the IRM is equipped with a TNA-3 inertial land navigation system. The TNA-3 uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to determine the vehicle's position, orientation, and velocity. A benefit is that inertial navigation systems are independent of GPS and thus not susceptible to GPS jamming and can operate where GPS isn't available. Next, the IRM is fitted with a RShM-2 mine detector which is able to pick up ferromagnetic objects up to a depth just shy of 1 foot. The apparatus is mounted on hydraulically operated arms, one per side of the hull (the right side arm is visible here in the stored position). The arms can be deployed to the front of the vehicle in less than 3 minutes. When using the mine detector, the IRM can drive no faster than 3 miles per hour. If an object is detected, the IRM is automatically brought to a halt. Kept inside the IRM are three hand-held mine detectors; the RVM-2M, IMP-2, and RVM-2. In order to accurately test water depth at river crossings, the IRM has a EIR echo-sounder which can give depth values up to 65 feet. The EIR is paired to a recorder for data retention. To compliment the EIR, the IRM has three sonar transducers which work by sending out sound waves and then detecting the returning echoes. For measuring the azimuth for the purposes of determining both horizontal and vertical terrain angles, the IRM has a PAB-2AM aiming circle. For surveying from within the vehicle, the IRM has an extendable PIR-451 periscope for the commander which includes a DSP-30 rangefinder. Other equipment includes an AGI-1S horizon indicator and a man-portable PR-1 penetrometer. The latter, used by a dismounted engineer, tests for soil crossability and when coming upon ice, the AGI-1S has a ice drill and ice stake to determine ice thickness. For communication, the IRM has a integral R-147 radio set while two portable R-147 sets are kept in store if needed. Finally, the IRM is equipped with TNP-370, TNV-25M, and TNPO-160 periscope observation blocks.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Sukhoi Su-24MR Fencer-E

Source: ArmyInform

     Photographed in late May 2024, the Sukhoi Su-24MR (NATO reporting name Fencer-E) “Yellow 11” rests in its revetment. The aircraft belongs to the 7th. Tactical Aviation Brigade “Petro Franko”. The Su-24MR is the dedicated reconnaissance variant of the Su-24M tactical bomber and first entered service in 1983 with production ending in 1993 after 130 examples were built.

     Externally, the Su-24MR looks much like the Su-24M upon which it is based. But, there are some visible differences which tell them apart. The first can be seen underneath the fuselage, along the centerline, a bit forward of the side intakes. In place of the Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23M rotary 23mm cannon, a fairing contains a AP-402M panoramic 90.5 focal length camera and behind it, a “Aist-M” (“Stork-M”) TV camera/reconnaissance system. Of interest, the cassette cartridge that stores the photographs taken by the AP-402M can be jettisoned, the cartridge falling to earth via parachute.

     Another external means to tell the Su-24MR apart from the Su-24M assumes it is fitted with a SRS-14 “Tangazh” (“Pitch”) ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) pod, as fitted here underneath the fuselage. The SRS-14 is designed to detect emitting radars then determine their origin point, the type of radar(s), and the mode the radars are operating in. Another specialized pod which is used is the Shpil'-2M (“Spire”) laser imager with a 25cm resolution. Altitude affects the image quality so that when flying at low altitudes, the quality improves to almost photographic levels. The “Spire” can be used day or night and the image data can be transmitted to ground stations in real time.

     On the outer pylon of the right wing looks to be a M-341 Efir-1M (“Ether-1M”) radiation detector. It measures radioactivity levels and records the data onto magnetic tape or, if desired, the pod can transmit the data to ground stations. The drop tanks are PTB-3000 models which hold 793 gallons of fuel each.

     The nose-mounted Orion-A radar suite used by the Su-24M is replaced with a RDS-BO “Shtyk” (“Bayonet”) SLAR (Side-Looking Airborne Radar). The minimum range of the radar is .2 of a mile to a maximum range of 17 miles. The RDS-BO (sometimes designated the M-101) is a pulse-only radar, is able to classify ground targets, and is equipped with a moving target indicator. This data is compiled via the BCR-1 intelligence complex (which also assesses information taken in from other sensors).

     Because the Su-24MR is unarmed, it is fitted with extensive defensive systems, collectively called the BKO-2M Karpaty complex. It consists of the SPO-15M Bereza (“Birch”) which alerts the crew to being “painted” by radar and also homing radar as used by missiles. Against infrared homing missiles, the L-082 Mak-UL (“Poppy”) detector is fitted for alerting to missiles that utilize infrared seeker heads. Another piece of the complex is the SPS-161/162 Geran-F (“Geranium-F”) radar jammer along with the APP-50A flare dispenser. The entire complex was controlled by a Neon-F digital computer system.

     Other reconnaissance equipment include the A-100 oblique mounted camera which has a 1,000 focal length. The aperture for the camera is mounted underneath the left air intake. Finally, there is a “Zima” (“Winter”) infrared sensor system mounted beneath the right air intake and it can just be seen near the rake fitted to the edge of the intake.

     “Yellow 11” first saw combat during the Donbas War when, on July 2, 2014, a separatist fired MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense System) struck the aircraft while it was operating over Slavyansk, Donetsk Oblast. The strike caused a fire which forced the crew to shut down one of the engines. The stricken Su-24MR was able to return to base but upon landing, a new fire started which caused significant damage before it was extinguished by ground crew. It would take many months to repair the aircraft but in April 2015, “Yellow 11” was back in service.

For more information on the Su-24M, visit:

https://photosofmilitaryhistory.blogspot.com/2025/06/russo-ukrainian-war-sukhoi-su-24m.html

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Sukhoi Su-24M Fencer-D w/ Vympel Kh-29L

Source: Reddit

     A Sukhoi Su-24M (NATO reporting name Fencer-D) belonging to the 7th. Tactical Aviation Brigade “Petro Franko” sorties for a mission. This particular photograph started appearing in social media in early November 2024 though given the color of the foliage, it was taken much earlier (possibly in August 2024).

     Based on the minimal armament and lack of external fuel tanks, the mission may be a training one or a combat mission within the standard range of the Su-24M. Speaking of armament, the visible weapon is a Vympel Kh-29L (NATO reporting name AS-14 Kedge-A) air-to-surface missile. By no means is the Kh-29 missile new, having first appeared in service in 1980 with development having begun in 1975. Primarily, the Kh-29 family of missiles is used against targets such as buildings, bridges, airfields, hardened shelters, and even against large naval vessels.

     The Kh-29L is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor that pushes the missile through the air at a maximum speed of 1,400 miles per hour. The operational range is 6 miles. The missile is brought onto target by semi-active laser homing. This is accomplished using the integral Kaira-24 laser designator fitted into the Su-24M. The laser has a maximum range of 11.5 miles and so while the Kh-29L could travel further, its range is limited to that of the designator. The Kaira-24 is more of a targeting system that consists of the laser designator (called Spire) which is tied into the ILS-31 HUD (Heads-Up Display) used by the WSO (Weapon Systems Officer). The Kh-29L arms within 1.2 miles and has a flight envelope as high as 3 miles in altitude down to as low as 200 meters off the ground.

     Curiously, the Kh-29L is missing the vanes on the seeker head and the four rotating ailerons on the forward portion of the missile.

     Of interest is the yellow underside of the Su-24M. At the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War, both sides used Soviet-era aircraft, to include the Su-24M and Su-24MR (of which Russia still has some 300 in service). As such, in April 2022, the 7th. Tactical Aviation Brigade painted the undersides of their Su-24 aircraft yellow to enable Ukrainian ground forces to easily identify them and avoid any further friendly fire incidents. The dragon is a rendition of the brigade's crest that consists of a heraldic black dragon. Finally, the insignia beneath the cockpit is actually the “winged archer” logo used by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (which is part of the Sukhoi Aviation Military Industrial Combine or Sukhoi AMIC) which designed and built the Su-24.

For more information on the Su-24M, visit:

https://photosofmilitaryhistory.blogspot.com/2025/06/russo-ukrainian-war-sukhoi-su-24m.html

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.