Category: Militarnyi-usa my life

The manufacturer of German self-propelled howitzers has not yet received an order for 100 PzH 2000 ACS, which were supposedly ordered in the summer of 2022.

German journalist Björn Müller reported on this with reference to the words of the official representative of KNDS, which incorporates Krauss Maffei Wegmann.

Ukraine approached Germany about purchasing PzH 2000s in April last year and received approval for the potential sale of 100 self-propelled units from the German government in July. However, it seems that they have not been ordered.

“To date, no contract has been signed for 100 PzH2000s, which Ukraine wanted to order in the summer of 2022 and whose production was approved by the federal government,” KNDS shared.

According to Spiegel, the KMW representatives estimated the cost of a potential contract for 100 Panzerhaubitze 2000 at 1.7 billion euros. Depending on the supply of components, the contract implementation period should have been several years.

The reasons for abandoning the order for the new self-propelled artillery systems are currently unknown. This could be due to a lack of funding or a change in priorities in military procurement.

PzH 2000 ACS and Oshkosh M1070 tank tractor of the Ukrainian military. January 2023. Ukraine, Donetsk region. Photo credits: Petro Poroshenko

The Ukrainian military has been actively using German-made PzH 2000 self-propelled guns in the war against the Russian invasion forces since last summer.

They successfully operate a battalion of such artillery systems, which were transferred jointly by Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.

RCH 155

At the same time, in a conversation with representatives of KNDS, Müller confirmed preparations for the production of the RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled howitzers. Currently, KMW is at the stage of construction of the production line.

Militarnyi recently reported that Ukraine will receive these artillery systems at best in late 2024, which is later than expected.

Ukraine became the first customer of these wheeled self-propelled guns in the amount of 18 units. The German Federal Government funded the purchase worth €216 million.

The RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery system from the German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann company. Photo from open sources

In June last year, Ukraine signed an agreement to purchase about 60 units of Krab 155mm self-propelled guns.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, soldiers of the National Guard captured the Russian military from the Moscow regiment and the brigade that fought against Ukraine back in 2014.

The Command of the National Guard reported that they took four prisoners during the defense of the positions that the Russians were trying to take.

“This is the result of one of the enemy’s attempts to regain lost ground in the Zaporizhzhia direction,” the National Guard shared.

Three invaders were serving in the 136th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of Russia, and another one served in the 1430th Motorized Rifle Regiment. Two of them are contract soldiers.

The prisoners tried to convince the Ukrainian defenders that they had been serving for less than a year. They said that during this time, they had not received proper combat training and had not fought.

Captured Russian soldiers in the Zaporizhzhia region. November 2023, Ukraine. Photo credits: National Guard of Ukraine

In addition, according to them, the units are morally decaying and have no motivation to carry out assault operations.

One of the prisoners claimed that he had already refused to participate in hostilities. After that, he was sent to the “pit” and returned to the front due to fear of imprisonment.

According to the POWs, Russians are mobilized by being threatened with criminal liability for refusing to participate in the so-called “special operation” with a term of 8 to 15 years in prison while being promised the prospect of quick enrichment and social guarantees.

It is worth noting that in August 2014, units of the Russian 136th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade participated in the battles for the Luhansk airport along with other forces.

T-90A tank of the Russian Armed Forces and militant Andriy Marochko during the battles for Luhansk airport. August 2014

In turn, the battle path of the 1430th Regiment started in October 2022 with Putin’s announcement of a “partial” mobilization.

In the beginning, the regiment was completely formed from mobilized Moscow residents and then deployed to the area of performing tasks in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Russian invaders from the 1430th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division at positions in the Zaporizhzhia region. September 2023, Ukraine. Photo credits: RIA Novosti

The Russian command deployed the regiment in the Robotyne area, which had been liberated by the Ukrainian military in August this year.

The Russian military uses an unusual way to camouflage the mortar crew positions in the forests near Kreminna.

The Press Service of the Azov brigade released a video on this.

Intelligence of the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Azov National Guard, using a reconnaissance drone, discovered an unusual position of a mortar crew.

To camouflage the 120-mm mortar, the invaders used a trench with retractable shutters that were opened by a trained member of the crew before the shot was fired. Immediately after the shot, they were closed to hide the position from Ukrainian reconnaissance.

In the case of intermittent fire with a long time interval, this tactic allows the same position to be used for a long time, even despite active counter-battery warfare.

The use of such positions is also facilitated by the positional nature of hostilities in the forest area near occupied Kreminna.

The Azov soldiers managed to discover the invader’s position at the time of the shot and destroy it with the help of a brigade’s artillery group.

It is reported that the Ukrainian military started to apply similar camouflage techniques. Footage capturing one of these positions was recently released online.

It featured a Ukrainian soldier opening up the space for mortar fire by pushing back the wooden roof of a trench.

Ukrainian crew of a 120mm mortar and a camouflaged position for it

In addition to general camouflage, this method of engineering mortar equipment is also useful as it can protect from FPV drones, which have long been able to fly more than 10 kilometers.

The Norwegian government plans to purchase a new generation of NASAMS air defense systems, along with modern interceptor missiles.

This was reported on the website of the Norwegian government.

The government proposes to invest approximately $1.15 billion to strengthen its air defense. However, this plan will require parliamentary approval.

The new project involves the purchase of eight launchers and four NASAMS III command posts for approximately $212 million.

The system’s elements will be ordered from Norwegian Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace. They are to compensate for the air defense elements previously transferred to Ukraine.

Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram next to the NASAMS missile launcher. Photo credits: Asgeir Spange Brekke

The most costly part of the program will be to replace the obsolete AIM-120B AMRAAM missiles in service, which will go out of service in a few years.

The old AIM-120B should be replaced by three modern interceptor missiles:

• AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range missiles;
• AIM-120C AMRAAM medium-range missiles;
• AMRAAM-ER longer-range missiles.

The use of longer-range AMRAAM-ER missiles should significantly increase the radius of air target interception by the NASAMS system. When launched from a ground launcher, the declared maximum range of hitting targets with this missile is 40 kilometers.

According to Kongsberg, the range of the AMRAAM-ER compared to the basic AIM-120C7 missile is increased by 50%, and the height is increased by 70%.

At the same time, the use of the AIM-9X with infrared homing should increase the effectiveness of intercepting maneuverable targets at short distances.

NASAMS III launcher with AIM-120C, AMRAAM-ER, and AIM-9X missiles.

The number of missiles offered for order is not announced, but the project’s total cost will be $866 million.

Rearmament may take place as early as 2024 and 2025. NASAMS is expected to be delivered in 2026, with new missiles arriving by 2028.

The defense forces destroyed the first BMP-1U Shkval of the invaders, which the Russians captured during the war in Georgia and stored as an exhibit.

Militarnyi reports on this.

Soldiers of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade’s drone strike company posted a video of the elimination of Russian infantry near a destroyed BMP-1U infantry fighting vehicle. These combat vehicles were manufactured in Ukraine and captured by Russia during the Russian-Georgian war in 2008.

​​The damage to this vehicle was previously captured on video by Ukrainian UAV operators near Avdiyivka. At that time, it became popular due to footage of the vehicle hitting its own infantry.

The introduction of these vehicles at the front line was first reported back in mid-September. However, the published video could not reliably identify the IFV’s modification due to poor quality.

The new frames capture the KBA-105 Shkval remote weapon station, which was installed on the BMP-1U, torn off as a result of the detonation of ammunition.

The turret of the destroyed combat vehicle near Avdiyivka and the tower of the BMP-1U Shkval combat vehicle

It is worth noting that instead of the Ukrainian ZTM-1 30-mm automatic gun, the Russians installed a Soviet 2A72 gun in the module. The Ukrainian gun is structurally similar to the Soviet one, but it has a special design that restrains the barrel when firing to reduce vibrations.

In addition, the module lacks a machine gun and a launcher for Konkurs anti-tank guided missiles. All those elements could have been dismantled to simplify operations in preparing the museum exhibit to be shipped to the front.

BMP-1U Shkval

BMP-1U is a Ukrainian modernization of the Soviet infantry fighting vehicle, which was developed at the turn of the 1990s and 2000s.

The main changes primarily affected the weapons system. Instead of the old single-seat turret with a 73-mm main gun, 7.62-mm machine gun, and ATGM launcher, a new unified KBA-105 Shkval combat module was installed. It is armed with a ZTM-1 30-mm automatic gun, a 7.62-mm KT-7.62 machine gun, and a 30-mm KB-117 automatic grenade launcher.

Due to the significant RWS weight, which comes to 1300 kg with full ammunition, and considering the space it occupies inside the hull, the number of servicemen in BMP-1U decreased from 8 to 6 soldiers.

Georgian BMP-1U Shkval captured by the Russian army. Photo credits: Btvt.info

Open sources report that during the Russian-Georgian war in August 2008, the Russian army captured up to 14 Georgian BMP-1U Shkval. In total, by the beginning of the war, Ukraine delivered 15 such infantry fighting vehicles to Georgia.

The Czech initiative ‘Darek pro Putina’ (A Gift for Putin) will raise funds for a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for Ukraine.

The Initiative representatives stated that fundraising will begin on November 17.

“We would like to buy it and send it to Ukraine to help fight the Russians,” the volunteers said.

This Czech initiative has been raising funds for a long time. Due to raised money, volunteers donated various defense equipment to Ukraine.

The most famous project was the purchase of 15 Viktor anti-aircraft systems.

The Viktor mobile air defense system of the Ukrainian military. June 2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: ArmyInform

As part of this initiative, Czech volunteers managed to raise CZK 90 million.

These systems are capable of effectively protecting strategic and civilian targets from kamikaze drone attacks. Viktor anti-aircraft systems are assembled by the Czech company Excalibur Army.

‘Darek pro Putina’ also raised funds for a tank and an RM-70 rocket launcher.

The initiative managed to raise $2.3 million for the project.

RM-70 at the STV Group plant in Polička, Czech Republic, March 2023. Photo credits: Darek pro Putina

It is worth noting that the funds raised usually remain in the Czech Republic and are transferred to Czech defense companies that are already involved in manufacturing weapons for Ukraine.

The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was created by the U.S. Sikorsky company. With no exaggeration, the Black Hawk is a helicopter of the 21st century, even though it is more than 50 years old. As a result of the development of this helicopter, a universal platform for all branches of the armed forces was born.

As previously reported, in Ukraine, the officers of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine are using the U.S. Black Hawk multirole helicopter, which is significantly ahead of the Soviet analogs Mi-8 and Mi-24 in almost all specifications.

A fire and a series of powerful explosions were recorded on the territory of a military unit in the Volgograd region.

Local media reported on this.

On the night of November 16, at about 01:00 am, a fire broke out at the Russian Ministry of Defense facility near the village of Kotluban, 40 kilometers from Volgograd.

According to local reports, the large-scale fire was followed by a series of powerful explosions. Local media published footage of powerful detonations, which may indicate the detonation of rocket and artillery ammunition.

The local government agencies and the regional administration have already confirmed the fire. However, no information was reported on the explosions.

Other footage from the scene captures explosions along with thick white smoke and other characteristic traces of ammunition detonation.

The cause of the incident is not yet confirmed. However, the Russian Defense Ministry has reported attempted attacks by Ukrainian drones in several regions of the Russian Federation.

This facility has been attacked before. On September 7, a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle crashed near the same village, allegedly colliding with power lines.

The village of Kotluban, which houses the military unit on its outskirts, is more than 500 kilometers away from a possible launch site for drones from Ukrainian territory.

The location of the Russian settlement of Kotluban. Photo credits: Google Earth map

In addition to the drone strike, the possibility of using an agent network of the Ukrainian special services cannot be ruled out.

As previously reported, on November 11, a facility of KB Mashinostroyeniya, the Russian manufacturer of missile weapons, in Kolomna near Moscow, was attacked by a drone.

The KB Mashinostroyeniya is a leading Russian manufacturer of missile weapons. Its products are the Iskander SRBM and the Kinzhal ballistic missile.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine released footage of the operation preparation and conduct in occupied Crimea.

The press service of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine published the video.

Intelligence officers presented unique footage of the preparation and implementation of the October raid on the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea, carried out by the Stuhna and Bratstvo fighters as part of the Timura special unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

“We landed on the territory of the Crimean peninsula and inflicted fire on the Russian invaders,” the Defense Intelligence reported.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine did not disclose the exact location of the incident. However, the agency later reported that the unit had lost one soldier as a prisoner of war.

The Russian Defense Ministry then stated that the Ukrainian military had landed near Cape Tarkhankut.

Intelligence officers coordinate the details of the operation on a map. Photo credits: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Conducting an operation

To land on the coast of the occupied peninsula, the intelligence officers used Sea-doo GTX 300 jet skis and Sea Force 1100 motorboats adapted for military operations. Another video demonstrates that one of the boats was armed with a 40mm Mk.19 automatic grenade launcher.

It is worth noting that the jet skis were equipped with additional 20-liter fuel canisters. They appeared to be connected directly to the fuel tank to increase the range.

The jet skis of this model have a 70-liter fuel tank, which provides a range of up to 100-150 kilometers, depending on the operation mode. With additional fuel tanks, this could be enough to travel independently from the mainland to the peninsula and back.

Sea-doo GTX 300 jet ski with several spare fuel canisters. Photo credits: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

According to the footage, the special forces were well-equipped with small arms, including PKM and MG5 machine guns and BREN 2 rifles.

The footage captured drones with thermal imaging optics providing support and coordination during the movement at sea and landing. The video shows the use of a Mavic 3 drone.

Ukrainian intelligence officers travel in the Black Sea on boats and jet skis. Photo credits: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

What is known about detachments?

The Bratstvo battalion that participated in the operation has long been involved in sabotage operations in the Russian rear. It was founded by Ukrainian writer and public figure Dmytro Korchynsky.

Soldiers of the Ukrainian Stugna unit on a gas drilling platform. September 2023. Photo from the unit’s page

The Stuhna unit was formed in 2022 and staffed with volunteers. In September of this year, the unit’s fighters participated in an operation to return the so-called ‘Boyko towers’ in the Black Sea to Ukrainian control.

The Ukrainian defense industry has started mass production of drones similar to Iran’s Shahed-136.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries, announced this.

According to the Minister, the Ukrainian defense industry has now launched mass production of dozens of kamikaze drones per month. He noted that these are new drones that have not been publicly presented before.

“Starting with what is called ‘Ukrainian Shahed,’ we don’t share the name of this product, but we have started mass production of it and now [produce] dozens of them a month, continuing with many other items that we used to produce very little of, and now we have decent numbers,” Kamyshin added.

Illustrative photo of the Ukrainian Bober kamikaze drone in the sky over Moscow

Presumably, by “analogous to the Shahed drone,” the Head of the Ministry means an unmanned aerial vehicle with an appropriate warhead and range. It is worth pointing out that the Iranian drone is capable of delivering between 40 and 50 kilograms of explosives over a distance of 1000-2000 km.

In addition, this term could also describe a drone control method, namely autonomous movement using an inertial system with correction for GPS signals.

Production growth

Kamyshin noted that a multi-fold increase in production does not always satisfy the government.

“We are satisfied with tenfold growth or more. We have such growth in many areas,” he said.

The Minister explained the multi-fold increase in production by the successful integration of business with Ukroboronprom, where the state supports private manufacturers.

“Today, many drone manufacturers have seen an opportunity at one of the state-owned plants to discover resources that they cannot find on their own,” he explained.

The Minister cited cooperation when a service center at a state-owned plant helps small private drone companies with their work. According to Kamyshin, this is an example of how the state assists the development with its resources.

“In this regard, the Ukrainian Shahed drone came from a state-owned plant,” the minister said.

The Canadian company Skycope claims that it did not sell SkyEye drone detection systems to the Russian Technological University (MIREA).

The company stated this on its website.

On November 15, Militarnyi reported on the discovery of documents confirming the purchase of the SkyEye system.

According to the contract discovered on the public procurement website, the auction was announced on May 11, and on June 7, the University received the Canadian system.

The company claims that this is the first time it has heard of the Russians having SkyEye, and suspects that the news might be fake or the product may be counterfeit.

Coverage of the SkyEye drone detection system by Skycope Technologies.

The company also suggests that the system could have been obtained illegally for reverse engineering.

“In light of our products or counterfeit versions of them appearing in Russia or on Russian websites, we hereby declare that as a Canadian company, we adhere to Canada’s export restrictions. We do not provide products and services to countries where they are prohibited,” the statement reads.

This counterfeit issue started several months ago when the company learned that an unidentified third party had created and was operating a counterfeit website at “skycope.ru”.

A third party has copied the website content, including trademark, product images, and information. Skycope’s lawyer sent letters for legal action against it.

The website was taken offline immediately without any response from the owner. After the counterfeit website issue, Skyscope has implemented technical countermeasures to prevent the misuse of its products in countries restricted by the Canadian government, which includes Russia.

Coverage of the SkyEye drone detection system by Skycope Technologies.

“We receive numerous inquiries for our products and services. We carefully identify the source of each request and conduct our due diligence to ensure we are not engaging with any of the countries restricted by the Canadian government,” Skycope said.

Skycope emphasizes that it continues to actively assist Ukraine and is open to collaborating with potential dealer partners to deploy systems to Ukraine for life-saving purposes.