Vladimir Putin speaks of superweapons, but that doesn’t always correspond to what is seen in Ukraine. In fact, there is everything on the battlefield: novelties such as drone kamikaze, traditional equipment, but also simple and effective solutions.
M777
The abbreviation denotes the 155mm American gun that was sent to Kyiv in a hurry. It is towable, has a range of 18 miles, is operated by 10 men and is usually part of a battery of at least six. If the soldiers are well trained, they can fire 4 rounds per minute. The Americans have promised over a hundred and believe that eventually the resistance will have half a dozen battalions. Its accuracy increases with the use of certain radars (several have been guaranteed).
The drones
Widespread drones, especially the Chinese DJI, are not only designed for military purposes: prices vary between 450 and 1,000 euros per unit and are used for reconnaissance and advance detection of small atomic nuclei. There is a second type, the professional ones, with thermal chambers and centimeter accuracy, which allows you to direct artillery fire. In addition, they have the possibility of having channels for triggering devices (grenades, bombs) on the remote control: for this second option, the prices vary between 4,000 and 6,000 euros. The distinctive features of the Ukrainian army also include a unit of drone operators and special forces members, 30 men, who carried out quad-riding ambushes against the Russian columns, which were very effective, especially in the first phase. in the Kyiv area. The drone operators come from Aerorozvidka, an aerial reconnaissance unit founded in 2014 by a group of volunteer electronics engineers to support the Ukrainian armed forces, funded through crowdfunding. They strike mostly at night, with sights, sniper rifles, remote-controlled mines and drones with thermal imaging cameras.
The vehicles
The photos show small vehicles born for civilian use and converted to a military role by the Resistance. Usually they are 2 seaters, they have a missile on the frame with which they can attack the tanks. They allow mobility, they easily hide in vegetation, sometimes they have camouflage tarpaulins. The commandos strike from afar and retreat to avoid any reaction. In the first phase of the conflict, they took part in raids against the invading columns.
The Bombs
The Russians use cruise missiles and other surface-to-surface missiles. Devices for frequent destruction of industrial buildings, barracks, railways. In some cases, however, they have relied on free-fall bombs, which do not guarantee accuracy. Western analyzes underscore that they struggle to center moving vehicles due to a lack of proper systems and tactics. The opposite of what has been seen in the campaign against Islamic State, where Western fighters have laid bare their arsenal. Many burned pickups, as well as the jihadists’ motorcycles. Another weakness of the army – again according to NATO sources – is the available maps, which are considered outdated as some date from the 1970s.
The protective measures
In conflict we adapt. And the invaders tried to do this to protect the logistics trucks, which were relentlessly attacked. A workaround in progress showing how they failed to prepare. Wooden crates, sandbags, rudimentary armor were placed to pack the vehicles. In addition, others have also arranged in this way in the past. The Americans in Vietnam and Iraq, the Filipinos in Marawi, the Mexican narcos. Numerous tanks have been fitted with a metal cage covering the turret: a device to contain the effects of Javelin anti-tank missiles falling from above. An umbrella with holes in it.
The Veterans
It’s still the pictures that tell the story. The resistance found World War I Maxim machine guns in some depots. Pro-Russian militiamen carried PPS machine guns born in the mid-1940s, recognizable by the drum magazine. On the other barricade are used Mosint Nagant rifles in the hands of a gunner. The Ukrainian special forces then transformed the classic Kalashnikov into a new version, the Malyuk. And in any case, quite a few vehicles of those promised by NATO to Zelensky were kept in reserve. in the case of the older M113 armored vehicles and some models of Polish or Slovak origin. Without forgetting the Soviet-designed T-72 tanks, present in large numbers on all fronts. Some governments are finding ways to install outdated systems in exchange for more modern weapons from NATO.
the dolphins
Russia is said to be using some dolphins to protect the Sevastopol base in the Black Sea from the threat of divers invading. The satellite images show two floating fences at the port entrance: the Navy would have erected them in February in connection with the preparations for the invasion. Mammals can be used to locate bombs, but also to counteract the presence of attackers. The US Navy has also been developing a similar program for some time, always for the purpose of prohibition, the same choice as Israel and North Korea. Moscow has continued its use since Soviet times – points out the expert Hi Sutton – and had a unit in Kazachya Bukhta near Sevastopol: with the collapse of the USSR, the program passed into the hands of Ukraine and returned there after the annexation of Crimea back the Russians. Who have resumed training mammals.
April 30, 2022 (Change April 30, 2022 | 19:26)
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