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Title: Russian Innovation or Folly? DIY BTRs from T-62 Tanks Fall Prey to Ukrainian Drones

In a curious turn of events, Russia has resorted to converting old T-62 tanks into makeshift armored personnel carriers (APCs), only to see them swiftly eliminated by Ukrainian drones. Recent setbacks in Russia’s mechanized offensives on the eastern front have left a trail of destroyed military hardware, with analysts counting over a dozen vehicles wiped out in a single engagement, as reported by Forbes.

Among the wreckage, two peculiar new tracked vehicles stood out. These improvised APCs, built on the hulls of T-62 tanks, had five road wheels on each side and a makeshift, towering superstructure. The idea behind this MacGyver-esque approach was to utilize the 33-ton, heavily armored hull of the T-62, combined with a powerful 580-horsepower engine, to provide protection and space for infantry.

However, even these resourceful contraptions proved no match for the swarms of Ukrainian drones operating in open terrain. A recent video appeared online, indicating that the "graveyard" of vehicles lies near Chasiv Yar. Military experts predict more such jury-rigged vehicles appearing on the battlefield, as Russia grapples with the immense loss of its regular armored fleet over the past three years.

"Any mechanized assault is effectively halted in 20 to 60 minutes," a Ukrainian military source told a Russian-language Telegram channel. Russian war correspondents have been blunt about their chances against Ukrainian drone attacks: "Every piece of armor burns up under the sky, swarming with tiny drones, before reaching its target."

Earlier, Dialog.UA reported that Ukrainian forces continue to rain down rocket strikes on Russian positions, both on the frontlines and in the rear, while a unit from the 80th Brigade employed a Stryker armored vehicle to hunt down Russian occupiers in the Kursk region.

Russia Withdraws Kursk region”>810th Marine Brigade from fighting in Kursk after Heavy Losses

In a strategic move, the Russian Ministry of Defense has decided to withdraw units from the 810th Marine Brigade from combat in Kursk, granting them respite and restoration time. The decision comes after four months of relentless fighting, during which the brigade has suffered significant losses.

Originally numbering around 2,500 personnel, the 810th Marine Brigade, along with elements from the 155th Marine Brigade, were deployed to the Kursk region. Following their recent deployment, the brigade is currently stationed in Plehovo for rest and rehabilitation. This temporary rotation was described by Z-bloggers as an opportunity for Russian forces to catch their breath.

Russian war correspondents have maintained that this withdrawal is not indicative of retreat or defeat, but rather a necessary measure to allow their troops to recover. Notably, the 155th Marine Brigade has previously faced complete destruction during the war, necessitating its remake from scratch.

The 810th Marine Brigade has also sustained substantial losses. Two battalions were deployed to Pogrebki, but almost all were deployed to Kobzon during combat with Ukrainian forces. Additionally, a recent Ukrainian strike on the brigade’s command post in Lov osztály further underscores the challenges faced by Russian troops.

While Plehovo is intended for rest and rotation, Z-war correspondents acknowledge that it remains within reach of Ukrainian artillery fire. The ongoing battles for Kursk entail a high price for Russian forces, despite their numerical superiority. In four months, Russian and North Korean troops have managed to reclaim around 25% of the previously lost territory.

Accurately estimating the combined casualties of Russian and North Korean forces remains elusive. However, President Zelensky‘s assertions that North Korea has lost 25% of its forces suggest that Russia may have incurred similar losses.

In related news, Ukraine has developed a novel weapon to counter enemy drones, while Ukrainian border guards report Russian forces amassing sufficient strength for a potential breakthrough on Kharkiv.

Sources: Forbes, Dialog.UA

Russian Troops Likely Seize Kuakhovo After Two Months of Intense Offensive

After nearly two months of relentless assaults, Russian forces have likely captures Kuakhovo, with recent geolocations showing their presence in the western parts of the city. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has analyzed the situation surrounding the battles for Kuakhovo, highlighting that while some Russian military bloggers claim to have advanced beyond the city, others report unsuccessful attacks around the Kuakhovka Thermal Power Station (TPP).

Stretching over 7.3 km², Kuakhovo fell to the Russian army after a protracted battle that saw Moscow deploy up to 36,000 soldiers. The city’s outskirts were first targeted in late October, with heavy mechanized assaults resulting in significant losses of both personnel and equipment.

Russian forces now face potential delays along the N-15 highway connecting Kuakhovo and Pokrovskoye should Ukrainian forces maintain defensive positions around the TPP. To bypass this obstacle, Russian troops may attempt to outflank the station by moving south from Dalneye and heading towards Ulaklya, or advancing south from Staraya Tarnovka towards Dalniy preceding northeast from Zelenovka towards Ulaklya, thus threatening Ukraine’s supply lines and complicating potential future troop withdrawal.

Previously, Dialog.UA reported a surge in Western tank deliveries, including Leopard 1 models, to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kim’s troops continue to suffer significant losses in the Kursk region.

(Author: Dmitriy Mironenko)

Title: Russia‘s Battered Armor: The Rise of Soviet ‘Zhiguli‘ in Ukraine War

Russia’s once-formidable armored fleet is showing signs of wear and tear, with expert analysis suggesting that the Kremlin’s assault groups may soon be switching to makeshift vehicles like Soviet-era "Zhiguli" cars in their battle against Ukrainian forces. This shift in tactics has been driven by Russia’s struggle to replenish its losses, with around 15,000 armored vehicles claimed since the conflict began in 2022.

A New Era of Assault Vehicles?

Russian tactics seem to be evolving, with groups now using unconventional vehicles to probe Ukrainian defenses before launching attacks. Sightings of Soviet-era VAZ "Zhiguli" cars, affectionately known as "malyshka" or "baby" cars, have been reported, including an incident where a pair attempted to breach Ukrainian positions on the Luhansk front.

One social media user shared footage of this unusual sight, captioning it "another Russian Mad Max-style frontline attack." However, the Ukrainian military was quick to respond, using drone strikes to disable at least one of the vehicles and neutralize its crew.

代わり

A similar incident occurred near Pokrovsk last week, where a Russian column of seven vehicles and trucks attempted to storm Ukrainian positions. Notably, one of the vehicles bore the Soviet flag. The Ukrainian military claimed to have destroyed all the enemy vehicles, using special attention on the one bearing the Soviet insignia.

Russia’s Brokeback Fleet

Russia’s armored vehicle losses have been staggering, with up to 15,000 units reportedly destroyed since the conflict began. Russian defense industries have struggled to keep pace with these staggering losses, forcing Putin’s army to consider dramatic alternatives.

In October, the UK’s Defense Ministry revealed that Russia was resorting to mobilizing everyday vehicles to serve as makeshift armored vehicles, including模で車. This development underscores the desperate situation of Russia’s depleted armored forces.

Battle for Donbass

As the battle for Donbass intensifies, with Putin aiming to control the region by March 2024, analysts predict that Russian forces may increasingly rely on these unconventional vehicles, such as Soviet-era "Zhiguli" cars. While these makeshift alternatives may provide some strategic advantage, they remain highly vulnerable to modern countermeasures and underscore the broader challenges facing Putin’s military offensive.

명organization officiel
Source: Forbes, Dialog.UA, UK’s Defense Ministry

Ukraine War Update: Russian and North Korean Casualties Soar on Kursk Front

In a rapid turn of events, Russian forces are losing soldiers and military equipment on the Kursk front at a pace that has left even Ukraine’s Armed Forces (UAF) astonished. Russian tactics, reminiscent of the Soviet era, involve launching waves of attacks with scant regard for troop safety, even deploying soldiers from North Korea to boost numbers.

A Startling Toll

Yesterday, in an interview with "Ukrainian Radio," former Deputy Commander of the Special Operations Forces (SSO) Colonel Yevheniy Saikia ominously reported that UAF is destroying up to 40 enemy armored vehicles in a single day. That’s an entire battalion lost in just 24 hours, a shocking pace of losses that is bewildering even seasoned Ukrainian defenders.

Cannon Fodder and Inept Allies

Not only is Russia sacrificing its own troops in these kamikaze-style attacks, but it’s also deploying soldiers from North Korea. While these troops may bolster numbers, they are ill-equipped to handle the complexities of modern warfare. Saikia compellingly described their weaponry as inferior, especially the rockets, and their lack of training as markedly subpar.

The West Responds in Kind

The West’s response to this deployment? More weaponry for Ukraine, further hardening an already formidable defense. Russia’s tactics of quantity over quality have historically been its signature strategy, but they seem increasingly futile in the face of UAF’s resilience and the West’s unwavering support.

Broader Context

This news comes amidst persistent reports of Russia’s escalating problems with armor, a critical aspect of any military conflict, that it is hemorrhaging in Ukraine. Moreover, Russia’s deployment of elite divisions to the Kursk front signals an urgency to shore up its defenses against UAF’s advances.

The situation on the Kursk front remains fluid, with both sides locked in a brutal battle of attrition. Yet, as Saikia’s remarks indicate, the toll on Russia and its allies is rapidly escalating, driving the conflict into increasingly uncertain terrain.

Sources: Dialog.UA, Ukrainian Radio

Title: Russia‘s Tank Losses: A Setback foradvance on Key Fronts

The Russian military‘s significant losses in armored vehicles over the past year could slow its offensive on certain sections of the frontline, according to analysts monitoring Russian military facilities via satellite imagery.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) analyzed the latest figures, which reveal a stark drop in Russia’s tank, armored personnel carrier (APC), and infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) stocks. As of now, the Russian military retains only 47% of its pre-war tank stocks, 52% of its APCs, and 45% of its IFVs.

ISW’s assessment suggests that the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has committed the majority of its elite T-90 and T-80 tanks to combat, prioritizing their use rather than preserving them for future battles. However, Russia maintains significant reserves of older tank models like the T-54/55, T-62/64, and T-72, which may not be battle-ready due to poor storage conditions and inactivity.

Analysts note that it’s challenging to verify the vehicles’ technical condition via satellite imagery alone. Moreover, Russia could have additional tanks and armored vehicles stored in covered facilities, which may not be visible from space.

Despite these losses, Russian forces have launched sporadic mechanized attacks. In late October and December, Russia deployed battalion-sized units in mechanized assaults near Severodonetsk and Kupiansk, respectively. However, analysts argue that these operations occur in areas with lower fire intensities compared to sectors near Pokrovsk and Kupiansk.

Experts speculate that Russia may struggle to re-equip its forward units due to the Russian military command’s reluctance to withdraw troops for recovery and restoration, potentially hampering its offensive momentum on priority frontline sectors.

Earlier this month, Dialog.UA reported that President Vladimir Putin might have abandoned plans to capture Pokrovsk, focusing instead on swift advancement toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast borders. Meanwhile, Russia’s "latest" rocket, the "Oreshnik," was recently exposed as not as novel as initially presented.

Author: Dmitriy Mironenko