Puma 6x6 surfaces in Ukraine as secret armor advantage
The Ukrainians have released photos of the Puma 6x6 armored personnel carrier. These images are quite rare, confirming the presence of such vehicles at the front. None of the countries supporting Ukraine had publicly announced their delivery.
In a brief message accompanying the photos, the Ukrainians highlighted the Puma 6x6's most significant features. They referred to it as an "armored beast" and praised its armor, speed, and reliability as its greatest assets.
Puma 6x6 in Ukrainian service
"PUMA is an armored beast fighting for victory. It's not just an ordinary armored personnel carrier—it's a true savior for the soldiers of the 2nd Aeromobile Battalion of the 81st Airborne Brigade," the Ukrainians wrote.
The Puma 6×6 is a vehicle over 16 feet long and about 7 feet wide, weighing approximately 18,078 pounds. It has a crew of two (a driver and a gunner) and can accommodate several more soldiers in the rear compartment. The Ukrainians, however, emphasize that they also use it to transport provisions and equipment to areas where "light machines cannot reach."
The Puma 6x6 is powered by an engine producing 180 HP, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 62 mph. It is armed with either a 7.62 mm or a 12.7 mm machine gun.
No one announced the transfer of such vehicles to Ukraine
The Puma 6x6 was first spotted at the front in April. At that time, the portal Militarnyj noted that none of the countries possessing this type of vehicle had announced their deliveries to Ukraine. The newly released images confirm their presence at the front, supporting the army in its fight against Russia.
It is most likely that the Puma 6x6 vehicles originated from Italy—an ally of Ukraine that often does not disclose the details of its aid packages publicly. The vehicles were produced by the local company Iveco-Oto Melara from 2004 to 2021.
