Ukrainian forces' proficiency grows with usage of Western equipment against Russians
In the video provided below, courtesy of the 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade, we can see the initial attack on the Russians hiding in the tree line was made using DPICM (Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition) cluster ammunition. This was followed by an assault from an M2A2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) working in coordination with a drone. Finally, the Russian forces were finished off with the aid of FPV drones. This arrangement demonstrates the Ukrainians' ability to orchestrate their forces effectively, significantly enhancing the impact of their attack.
Lethal coordination: the secret to success
In this instance, the Ukrainians have mastered the art of coordination amongst various systems—a strategy exercised within NATO for decades but on a more minor scale here. The footage showcases a seamless collaboration between the drone operators identifying the enemy locations and then passing the information onto the artillerymen and the crew of the IFV. The M2A2 Bradley strikes exactly where it was directed, and its crew is immediately informed of the effect of their attack.
The first strike against the Russian troops was with an M863A1 or M864 projectile, packed with dozens of small bomblets weighing approximately 0.66 lbs each. The charge of the bomblets includes a mixture of fragment versions with the lethality that extends to several meters and shaped charges capable of penetrating armoured vehicles or even tanks. These bomblets are designed with a simple fuse that triggers upon impact with the ground. However, older versions of these projectiles might not detonate in softer terrains, leading to a failure rate of up to 15%.
Next, the M2A2 Bradley activated its automatic M242 Bushmaster 25mm gun, loaded with M792 HEI-T ammunition—composed of fragmentation-incendiary with a tracer. This is a standard method to combat infantry, where a 0.40 lbs projectile contains approximately 0.06 lbs of a potent explosive, RDX, and incendiary material encased by a steel shell. The operation can be likened to a small-scale grenade with a lethal range spanning several meters.
What amplifies the effectiveness of the M242 Bushmaster gun is its ability to fire up to 200 rounds per minute. This intense firing rate, combined with a range of up to 1.24 miles, translates into overwhelming firepower. The likelihood of survival against such an assault, guided by a drone, is slim.
In the final phase of the attack, FPV drones equipped with grenades or anti-infantry bomblets—sourced from dismantling cluster shells—joined the fray. This innovative approach resulted in a cost-effective precision weapon for under 1,000 dollars. While great for targeting individual soldiers, it does exhibit a vulnerability to electronic warfare systems. Despite the Ukrainians' ability to navigate around commercial countermeasures from China, they face more significant hurdles with military systems.
