Ukrainian forces advance in Kursk with German Marder IFVs

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has published a video of the fighting in the Kursk Oblast. It confirms that German infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) Marder are participating in the ongoing offensive. We provide an overview of their capabilities and equipment.

The Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Army, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated on August 20 that the territory in the Kursk Oblast occupied by Ukrainian forces has increased to 488 square miles.

Reports and recordings showing the clashes and equipment used are systematically published. Ukrainians have decided to deploy some of their elite brigades, which possess equipment from NATO countries, including Marder infantry fighting vehicles, to the operation in the Kursk Oblast. The video shown on the official profile of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on the X platform is part of the battle that took place in the village of Mala Loknia in the Kursk Oblast.

The Marder is a German design produced by the Rheinstahl Corporation. Since the beginning of the war with Russia, Ukrainians have been receiving Marder 1A3 variants as part of support (mainly from Germany). They already have several dozen of these in their ranks. It has often been emphasized that Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles perform well on the front lines despite their age.

The Marder was developed in Germany in the 1960s and debuted as the first new-generation NATO infantry fighting vehicle. The Marder 1A3 is somewhat newer and provides greater functionality due to its modernized elements—reinforced frontal armor and a thermal imaging sight for the gunner.

The Marder 1A3 version is equipped with a 20 mm Rheinmetall cannon with a range of approximately 1.6 miles, an anti-tank guided missile launcher Milan capable of targeting at a distance of about 1.2 miles, and two 7.62 mm machine guns. This set, even today, ensures good firepower, something highly valued by Ukrainian soldiers.

Inside this nearly 23-foot-long infantry fighting vehicle, a maximum of 10 people can fit, but three seats are reserved for the crew. The Marder 1A3 has an engine with nearly 600 horsepower, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of approximately 47 mph. At the same time, it relies on tracked traction, enabling efficient movement over difficult terrain.