Russia ramps up arms supply to Ukraine despite peace rhetoric
The Russians have been vocal about peace recently, but at the same time, they're sending more weapons shipments to Ukraine. These shipments include older military vehicles, which still offer better options for combat scenarios compared to civilian cars like the Lada or Moskvich. Let's explore what these vehicles are and what they offer.
Despite accusing Ukraine of initiating the war and refusing to negotiate, Russia continues to deliver heavy equipment to its forces in Ukraine. In the video below, you can see a BTR-D transporter alongside BRDM-2 armored vehicles.
BTR-D transporters and BRDM-2 armored vehicles: Better than a Lada or Moskvich
BTR-D transporters are essentially stretched BMD-1 vehicles without a turret. They can carry up to ten infantry soldiers, in addition to a three-person crew. However, like the BMD infantry fighting vehicles, their armor is weak and can be penetrated by rifles such as the FN FAL with armor-piercing ammunition, according to Wirtualna Polska journalist Łukasz Michalik.
On the other hand, the BRDM-2 armored vehicles are designs from the 1960s. These reconnaissance vehicles weigh almost 15,000 pounds and are equipped with a 4x4 drive, enabling speeds up to 62 mph and the ability to cross water obstacles at speeds up to 6 mph.
The four-person crew is protected only by steel armor, which can withstand fire from regular ammunition in handheld firearms or fragments from mortar shells. It is not heavily armed; the reconnaissance version typically features a heavy machine gun with a 14.5x114 mm caliber in its tank mode.
Additionally, there were versions outfitted as tank destroyers based on the 9P133 Malutka-P or 9P148 Konkurs missiles. The former is entirely ineffective in the current war, but the latter retains potential due to its range of up to 2.5 miles and the ability to penetrate single-layer reactive armor.
While this is not modern equipment, considering the Russians have recently used modified Ladas or Moskviches for assaults, even the old BRDM-2 offers significantly greater protection.
