Category: Militarnyi-usa my life

The Ukrainian military, during the past few months, has destroyed at least four Russian Zoopark-1 counter-battery radar systems.

The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine showed footage of the damage to these radar systems.

“On the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery, we recall the most bright moments of joint operations to destroy the enemy,” the SOF said.

The video shows the hit of two 1L219 Zoopark-1 counter-battery radars and two 1L261 Zoopark-1M.

The first 1L219 Zoopark-1 radar was destroyed on July 16. The second similar radar was blasted on November 1 near the village of Panteleimonivka in the Donetsk region.

Two radars in the 1L261 Zoopark-1M version were hit in August 2023, with a difference of 20 days.

Russian radar systems were detected due to Ukrainian reconnaissance drones.

Neutralization of these systems makes it possible to facilitate the operations of Ukrainian artillery and air defense systems.

The 1L261 Zoopark-1M is a new modern Russian field-artillery acquisition reconnaissance radar that is capable of detecting artillery positions at a distance of up to 15 km, mortars – 20 km, MLRS – 30 km, and SRBM – 40 km.

Zoopark-1 counter-battery radar in the camera of the Ukrainian drone. 2023. Ukraine. Footage from the video of the SOF of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The 1L261 radar chassis is based on a universal armored tracked chassis of the GМ-5955 manufactured by Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant.

The crew of the system consists of three people: a driver, a radar operator, and a commander.

1L261 vehicle of the Russian 1L260 Zoopark-1M radar system. 2015. Russia. Photo credits: Russian media

Recall that in 2023, a destroyed Russian radar station of the Zoopark-1M system was discovered in the Kherson region.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces received eight Archers—wheeled self-propelled artillery systems—from Sweden.

This was stated by Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson.

Thus, he officially confirmed the arrival of these weapons in Ukraine.

Self-propelled guns were transferred within the framework of military assistance, which is necessary to resist the Russian invasion and Ukrainian territory de-occupation.

According to Jonson, Archer self-propelled artillery installations are important for Ukrainians since such systems have good mobility and accuracy.

Archer self-propelled guns. Photo credits: Swedish Army

The Swedish government decided to transfer the Archer self-propelled guns to Ukraine in January 2023. Eight such artillery systems were supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Recall that the Ukrainian military has shown one of the transferred Swedish Archers in the video dedicated to the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery on Friday, November 3.

Swedish self-propelled guns entered service with the 45th Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They are equipped with special Barracuda camouflage, but they do not have a remotely controlled machine gun turret.

Archer wheeled self-propelled gun. Photo credits: Swedish Army

Judging by the photo, the Archer self-propelled guns are already on the front line and performing combat missions.

Archer

The Archer ACS is a Swedish 155mm self-propelled artillery gun developed by BAE Systems Bofors. Deliveries of this equipment to the Swedish army began only in 2013.

Archer wheeled self-propelled gun. Photo credits: Swedish Army

The artillery system of the self-propelled gun is fully automated, its base is a FH 77B 155mm gun with a 55-caliber barrel length. The autoloader allows it to make a maximum of 8-9 shots per minute. The maximum range of fire is 30 km with a conventional projectile (HE), 40 km with a rocket-assisted projectile (HE ER), and 60 km with an Excalibur projectile.

The self-propelled gun is built on a modified Volvo A30D truck chassis with a wheel arrangement of 6×6. Its combat and engine compartments are armored, and the cabin is protected from bullets from small arms and light debris.

The Ukrainian military threw a group of Russian infantry from its position in Krynky village on the left bank of the Kherson region.

During the retreat, the invaders were shot with small arms and then finished off with strike drones.

The drone combat mission was carried out by soldiers of the 35th Marine Brigade, who footed and published it on social media.

“13 invaders fled into the forest. They were shot with small arms,” the military said.

Presumably, the Russian invaders tried to retreat along the road controlled by Ukrainian machine-gun team, which immediately opened fire on them.

The battle took place in the village of Krynky, which is located on the left bank of the Kherson region.

Russian soldiers eliminated in Krynky. November 2023. Ukraine. Frame from the video t.me/combat_hemp

The village was occupied by the Russians in the early days of the full-scale invasion. It suffered after the Russians blew up the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023.

Now the Ukrainian military is actively using various munitions to destroy Russians in this part of the Kherson region.

Recently, drones and artillery struck armored vehicles and logistics vehicles of the invaders on the left bank of the Kherson region.

Two Russian BTR-82A damaged in the area of the village of Krynky in the Kherson region. October 2023. Ukraine. Footage from the Madyar`s video

The main targets for attacks are fortified positions with infantry, heavy armor, ammunition depots, and trucks that provide transportation of ammunition, food, and manpower.

Strikes are inflicted from the right bank of the Dnipro River to a depth of 15 kilometers and seem to be aimed at knocking out the enemy from the coast.

The place of military clashes in the Kherson region

The main directions of strikes are concentrated in the area between the settlements of Kozachi Laheri, Krynky and Korsunka.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are using an American M1150 mine- and explosives-clearing vehicle that is based on the Abrams M1 chassis.

Relevant photos appeared on the website of the President of Ukraine.

This combat vehicle was demonstrated to the President at an event dedicated to Day of Missile Forces and Artillery and Engineer Forces Day, November 3.

It is worth noting that the transfer of M1150 mine-clearing vehicles by the United States was not officially reported.

M1150

The M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle is a fairly new combat vehicle that was adopted in 2009. Since then, according to rough estimates, about 239 vehicles have been manufactured.

The weight of the combat vehicle is 72 tons, its length is 12 meters, and the crew consists of 2 people. The M1150 drives an engine with a capacity of 1500 horsepower.

M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle. Photo credits: Official website of the President of Ukraine

In front is a special front-mounted 4.6-meter plow, supported by metal “skis” that slide on the ground while driving.

For remote demining, the vehicle has two M58 MICLIC launchers. These vehicles can create a 100-meter-long and 8-meter-wide corridor in a minefield.

For self-defense, the crew can use a M2 Browning machine gun.

Initially, M1150 was used by American Marines on December 3, 2009, in the Afghan province of Helmand during the Cobra’s Anger Operation.

M58 MICLIC. Photo from open sources

The combat vehicle is in service with the United States Army and Australia. The latter acquired the M1150 along with Abrams tanks, the M88A2 ARV, and bridgelayers in 2021.

The United States Marine Corps decommissioned its M1150 in 2023.

Russia failed tests of nuclear ballistic missile launches.

This was reported by the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The Russian military recently attempted to launch the Yars and Bulava intercontinental missiles.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that on November 1, 2023, Russia conducted unsuccessful tests of the RS-24 Yars ICBM, which is the main component of the Russian strategic nuclear forces.

15U175M TEL of the RS-24 Yars ICBM (June 2020). Photo credits: Russian media

The launch of the missile took place on the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk Oblast at the Kura Missile Test Range in Kamchatka. The launch was made by the 33rd Guards Rocket Army of the Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Army.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Yars missile went astray, as during the previous command and CP exercise of the Strategic Rocket Forces of the aggressor state on October 25, 2023.

Launch of Bulava ICBM. Photo from open sources

The test launch of the RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missile from the Project 955 Borei ballistic missile submarines, which took place on October 25, was also unsuccessful. These shootings once again confirmed the unreliability of this ballistic missile, which is deployed on submarines, according to the Defence Intelligence.

“Moscow also has serious problems with RS-28 Sarmat silo-based heavy ICBMs, one of the key modernization projects for the Russian Strategic Forces of the Russian Federation. The Sarmat missile in Russia has been created since 2009. According to Moscow’s initial plans, it should have been adopted five years ago – in 2018, but the date has been constantly postponed,” the Defence Intelligence stated.

Sarmat ICBM. Photo from open sources

It is known that Sarmat was adopted by the Russian Federation only in September 2023, after the first and only full test was conducted in April of this year.

Sarmat ICBM. Photo from open sources

The Defence Intelligence also reported that Russia is trying to improve the air component of strategic nuclear forces. As part of the partial modernization of Soviet Tu-160 and Tu-95S bombers, Russians are able to update 1-2 aircraft annually.

The first flight of the newly built Tu-160M. January 2022. Photo credits: UAC

Also, according to the DIU, the planned delivery of new Russian Tu-160М2 (an upgraded version of the basic Soviet aircraft) strategic supersonic bombers for 2023 was postponed to a later date, since the Russians could not resume production of a new version of the NК-32 turbofan jet engine.

S-400 launchers at the Kapustin Yar training ground

Recall that the Russian industry is working on a new operational-tactical missile, which can be used with the launchers of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.

Special forces of the Security Service of Ukraine hit the Russian BMPT Terminator AFV and destroyed the TOS-1А heavy flamethrower system.

In addition, during this week, Ukrainian special forces on the hottest sections of the front destroyed more than 130 pieces of equipment, as well as hit the manpower of the Russian invaders.

To defeat enemy equipment, FPV kamikaze drones and other drones that dropped ammunition were used against the Russians.

Operators of the Special Group “Alpha” of the Security Service of Ukraine released videos of the defeat of the invaders.

Russian BMPT Terminator, October-November 2023. Frame from the SSU video

The footage captured a Ukrainian FPV drone approaching a rare Russian Tank Support Fighting Vehicle (BMPT) Terminator, which was moving along the road near the destroyed buildings.

The vehicle had a protective screen above the upper part of the fighting compartment. This tool is usually called a “barbecue grill.”

Russian BMPT Terminator, October-November 2023. Frame from SSU video

After the Ukrainian drone hit, a powerful explosion occurred. As a result, the Russian AFV at least suffered serious damage. Note that the Ukrainian Defense Forces first destroyed the Russian Terminator AFV in February 2023.

With the help of FPV drones, Ukrainian special forces also destroyed the Russian ТОS-1А heavy flamethrower system moving along the road within the settlement.

Russian TOS-1A Solntsepyok, October-November 2023. Frame from SSU video

Due to the hit of the warhead of the drone in the tubes with projectiles facing, the ammunition of the MRL flared up. After that, a powerful detonation occurred, which was visible from afar.

Destruction of the Russian TOS-1A Solntsepyok, October-November 2023. Frame from SSU video

The 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also spotted a self-propelled launcher of the Russian Buk-М2 air defense system in Zaporizhzhia and provided coordinates for its destruction.

The Russian launcher was hit by a precision missile from the HIMARS system.

As a result of the hit, the solid rocket fuel of the anti-aircraft missiles that were on the Buk-M2 SAM fire launcher was detonated and burned.

Ukrainian Krab self-propelled guns gunners began to use improvised anti-drone screens.

They are designed to protect Krab ACSs from Russian kamikaze drone attacks as well as from munitions dropped by those drones.

A photo of Polish-made self-propelled guns with improved protection was published by the 26th Artillery Brigade, named after Khorunzhy Roman Dashkevich of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The photo shows that screens made of metal frames and grids completely cover the Krab self-propelled gun all over, including the hull, the turret, and its upper part. Screens also cover the aft part of self-propelled guns.

Krab self-propelled guns with anti-drone screens, November 2023. Photo credits: 26th Artillery Brigade

Metal frames and mesh are designed to provoke early detonation of the warhead of kamikaze drones or ammunition dropped from UAVs.

There is also a possibility that the drone or ammunition may stick in the grille without exploding. This solution should protect the self-propelled howitzer from serious damage and, therefore, keep it from destruction.

Krab self-propelled guns with anti-drone screens, November 2023. Photo credits: 26th Artillery Brigade

The screens should protect against strikes by Russian kamikaze drones such as the Lancet and FPV kamikaze drones, which are often used by the enemy to defeat important military equipment. They are also used for the convenient placement of camouflage nets on them.

A similar decision by Ukrainian gunners was previously used to protect M109L self-propelled howitzers.

Ukrainian M109L self-propelled howitzer with installed anti-drone armor, July 2023

Social media published the consequences of hitting such a screen. The authors of the video said that then the Lancet attacked the roof of the self-propelled gun turret. As a result of the detonation of its warhead, the screen grille was pierced, but only shallow scratches remained on the armor of the ACS.

Preliminary solutions

Welded on the body of self-propelled guns, metal screens can be considered a further development of folding anti-drone nets, which were previously used by Ukrainian gunners.

2S1 Gvozdika ACS of the Ukrainian military and debris of the Russian Lancet kamikaze in the Avdiivka direction. March 2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: Tysk

With the help of such, for example, in March 2023, the Ukrainian military rescued the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled guns—the net prevented hitting the ACS and detained the Russian drone.

The Russian Lancet loitering munition got stuck in a metal mesh deployed over the Krab ACS of the Ukrainian military. January 2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: Kriegsforscher

Due to such nets, it was possible to protect the Krab self-propelled guns previously. Then the Russian Lancet loitering munition got stuck in a metal grid, which was stretched over a self-propelled artillery mount.

Explosions rang out in the evening in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

There was a missile attack on the shipyard in Kerch, where warships were being built for the invaders` Navy.

Cruise missiles were used to strike, as evidenced by the videos that eyewitnesses published on social media.

Initially, an air alert was declared in occupied Sevastopol in the afternoon.

Later, there were reports of explosions in Kerch. Russian occupation authorities stated it was an air defense.

Video from locals shows missiles flying over the city with the distinctive sound of a jet engine running.

Fire in Kerch, November 4, 2023

After flying over the city, at least one rocket hit a ground object. The local residents assured on social media that after that, they saw smoke rising near the shipyard (Shipyard “Zaliv”).

The Russian occupation so-called “authorities” indirectly confirmed the fact of hitting the enterprise but said that the wreckage of a downed Ukrainian missile fell on one of the dry docks.

The city of Kerch on the map of Crimea

Telegram channels, with reference to local residents, spread information about the alleged hit of a Project 22800 Karakurt corvette, which is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles. It is believed that this could be the Askold corvette, which is currently undergoing factory sea trials.

The video from eyewitnesses shows that fire is still raging in the area of ​the shipyard, but it is currently impossible to confirm or deny the fact of a missile hitting a Russian corvette.

It is worth noting that after 3 p.m. local time when the Russians announced a missile attack, the car traffic on the Kerch bridge was temporarily blocked.

Officially the Russians stated that the smoke that appeared over the Kerch bridge was a “smoke screen” that was put up by the Russian military. Probably, the Russians supposed that the Armed Forces intended to attack the bridge.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation stated that a Ukrainian cruise missile hit a warship in Kerch.

Russian media claim that “a ship that was at the shipyard” was hit.

Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force of Ukraine, reported that the Ukrainian tactical aircraft conducted the strike.

“Well done, it’s like using the SCALPel!” the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force wrote, hinting that the aircraft used a French cruise missile.

Oleshchuk claims that the strike hit the Zaliv Shipbuilding Yard.

The SCALP hit the Project 22800 Karakurt corvette, which was in the shipyard’s waters.

Oleshchuk suggests that the Askold small missile ship was possible to be destroyed, which is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles.

However, on November 2, the OSINT researcher MT Anderson published a satellite picture of Novorossiysk Bay with the Askold corvette marked.

Askold has been undergoing trials since October 2022 and has not yet been accepted into the Black Sea Fleet. It has been repeatedly photographed by Russian bloggers in the Sevastopol area. So it is possible that it may indeed be outside the plant.

Askold corvette, October 25, 2022

It is known that the Zaliv shipyard is also completing the Project 22800 Amur corvette. According to open sources, this ship, which is the same type as the Askold, was launched in December 2022.

Geographical location of the fire at the Zaliv shipyard on November 4. Source: https://t.me/DniproOSINT

This is the second effective attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the shipbuilding facility of the occupied Crimea using SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles. Earlier, the Rostov-on-Don submarine and the Minsk landing ship were hit.

Images of the wreckage of a Russian Mi-28N attack helicopter have been posted online.

It was probably shot down by the air defense of the Ukrainian military.

The photos were probably taken in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and recently posted on social media.

The exact date and place where these photos of the helicopter wreckage were taken is unknown.

Wreckage of the tail boom of the Russian Mi-28N helicopter. 2022-23. Photo credits: Telegram/DviSh

Four large fragments of the aircraft were captured: the front part of the fuselage with the cockpit for two pilots, part of the tail beam, a piece of the middle part of the fuselage with the pilot’s seat, and the five-blade rotor.

The main rotor of the Russian Mi-28N helicopter. 2022-23. Photo credits: Telegram/DviSh

The photos show that the helicopter is missing the central fuselage fragment, which contains two engines and wings with hardpoints.

This could be a result of the defeat of the Russian Mi-28N with a powerful anti-aircraft missile, which led to the destruction or fragmentation of the helicopter hull.

It could also have been the result of an uncontrolled fall of the aircraft after being hit by a lighter air defense missile. Or this part of the helicopter burned out on the ground after it fell.

Mi-28NM attack helicopter. Photo credits: Rostec

The Russian helicopter crashed in a different location, and its wreckage was then collected and transported to one place, possibly to be sent back to the Russian Federation.

This debris might belong to the Russian Mi-28N attack helicopter, which the Ukrainian military shot down in the spring of 2022 in the Luhansk region.

It was likely hit by a portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS). The video published at the time captured the helicopter falling off the tail boom and beginning to fall in the area of the village after the strike.

British Starstreak anti-aircraft missile system. Photo from open sources

Later, The Times, citing sources in British military circles, reported that this Russian helicopter was probably shot down from the Starstreak MANPADS, which the UK handed over to Ukraine as part of military assistance to fight Russian invaders.