Russian troops in peril: Demining gear shortages cause chaos
Russian troops are experiencing losses in Ukraine due to a lack of key demining equipment, Forbes reports. As a result, the Russians are falling into "bloody ambushes," according to the report.
Russian units are facing significant losses in Ukraine due to a shortage of demining equipment. Forbes states that in recent days, two Russian platoons have been decimated because they lacked the necessary equipment. Ukrainian forces are effectively counterattacking in the Toretsk area, making it difficult for Russian commanders to stop their advances.
Lack of demining equipment
Russian forces attempted an attack near Andriivka, but their efforts ended in failure. The reason was a "bloody ambush" resulting from their lack of demining equipment. Despite possessing a full set of armored vehicles, they were without crucial equipment, which doomed them to failure.
Analysts note that the Ukrainian armed forces anticipate routes that may be used by Russian units and lay anti-personnel and anti-tank mines on them. This strategy allows them to effectively attack Russian troops before they reach Ukrainian positions. Without demining equipment, Russian units are forced to choose other, often more predictable, routes.
Russian demining equipment
Regarding the equipment that the Russians use for demining, it is primarily the UR-77 Meteorit. This vehicle was constructed during the Soviet era and is still used by the Russian Federation's army today.
The UR-77 is designed to clear landmines using an elongated explosive charge, which resembles a snake filled with explosive material. The combat charge, UZ-67, used in the vehicle can be deployed up to a distance of about 1,150 feet and allows for the clearance of an area approximately 262 by 20 feet in size. A newer charge, the ZRSz, consists of modules about 20 feet long and allows for clearing an area measuring about 328 by 20 feet.
The armor of the UR-77 demining vehicle is approximately 0.8 inches thick, and its propulsion, connected to the track system, consists of a single diesel engine generating around 300 horsepower. It can accelerate to about 37 mph on roads and around 19 mph off-road.
In addition to UR-77 vehicles, the Russians also utilize unmanned Uran-6 vehicles. These move on tracked wheels and use three different anti-mine flails, designed to work in various types of soil for mine clearing.
