Russian Armed Forces

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Footage of Russian servicemen training on Chinese-made Desertcross 1000-3 buggies, which we previously covered. Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles weigh 1,050 kg and have a load capacity of 550 kg. Servicemen learn to ride all-terrain vehicles on difficult road sections, master first aid techniques, and evacuate the wounded.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXdno2b73Fw

 

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The first footage of the launch of the Russian reconnaissance UAV "Merlin-VR" has been published. The drone "Merlin-VR" was developed by the Smolensk Research Institute of Modern Telecommunication Technologies, based on the UAV "Merlin-21BM". The UAV "Merlin-VR" is one of the largest UAVs of the Russian army, its wingspan reaches 5 meters. The UAV can fly in automatic and semi-automatic modes, the flight time is up to ten hours. The drone's payload is 6.5 kg, it is capable of carrying various reconnaissance equipment and adjusting artillery. The drone's camera operates in the visible and infrared ranges at a distance of up to 30 km. The UAV uses a hybrid engine and can rise to an altitude of up to 5 kilometers.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE4qhYjsWog

 

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Russian long-range aviation received modernized aircraft. The modernized aircraft received improved navigation systems and modern on-board equipment in 2024. The main representative of Russian long-range aviation for many years has been the Tu-95MS, these are aircraft carriers of the Kh-55 and Kh-555 cruise missiles. In the 2010s, a program was launched in Russia to modernize Tu-95MS aircraft to the Tu-95MSM level. The Russian supersonic long-range bomber-missile carrier Tu-22M3 is also being modernized to the Tu-22M3M level. The Tu-22M3M received a new set of equipment and a modern cockpit, the aft artillery mount was replaced with an electronic warfare system, and the weapons system was radically updated. The Tu-22M3M can use the new Kh-32 cruise missiles and other weapons. Under the modernization program, the Kazan Aviation Plant plans to modernize 20 Tu-22M3 aircraft. In 2015, Russia began a program to resume production of the Tu-160 strategic bomber. The Russian Air Force has already received the first new Tu-160 strategic bombers over the past couple of years, and in December 2024 it was announced that long-range aviation would receive four Tu-160M aircraft in 2025.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx12_LGvKrM

 

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Russian servicemen have started using North Korean Type 73 machine guns, the first machine guns were spotted at a firing range in November. The Type 73 machine gun was adopted by the DPRK army in 1973 and is still in use. The Type 73 machine gun is a clone of the Kalashnikov machine gun and the Czechoslovakian Vz. 52/57 machine gun. The Type 73 machine gun is chambered for 7.62 x 54 rounds. The Type 73 machine gun was actively used in numerous conflicts in the Middle East and became widespread after being supplied to Iran. According to the first assessments of Russian soldiers, the DPRK Type 73 machine gun was heavy and equipped with "strange sighting devices", according to them, they would prefer Russian machine guns. The Type 73 machine gun weighs 10.6 kg and is 1190 mm long. The weapon is fed from either 100- or 250-round non-disintegrating belts or 30-round box magazines. The Type 73 weighs 10.6 kg and is 1190 mm long, with a rate of fire of 600-700 rounds per minute. Interview in video.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P35gi8FaWic

 

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In Russia, troops of unmanned systems are being created, the formation of troops is planned to be completed in the third quarter of 2025. The role of drones and unmanned systems in the modern army is so high that a decision was made to form a separate branch of the Russian Armed Forces for unmanned systems. So far, these are only drones and remotely controlled robotic platforms, but with the development of artificial intelligence, they will turn into autonomous combat systems.
Currently, drone manufacturers in Russia have significantly increased their output: the monthly production of UAVs and FPV drones has reached 40 thousand items, and electronic warfare systems up to five thousand items. In total, more than 100 thousand items for various purposes were purchased from civilian manufacturers and small design bureaus.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDyKrYCR6h4

 

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Homemade air defense buggies have begun to be used by Russian mobile air defense groups, and the homemade buggy "ZveraBoy" was also shown earlier. This buggy is built on the basis of the Niva automobile. Despite the simplicity of the design of the vehicles, such mobile air defense groups are quite effective, and are also used by the Ukrainian army. To combat drones, the buggies are armed with six AK-12 assault rifles, located in one plane on the frame. Mortars for firing heat traps and a multi-barrel mount for firing buckshot are also installed. Technical details and who produces the combat vehicles are not reported.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Ol3Ao9KjA

 

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The first flight and production of the KUB-10E attack drone were shown in Russia. The KUB-10E UAV belongs to the KUB series of drones, but as can be seen from the video, the drone has become completely different. The KUB-10E drone is designed to destroy unarmored military equipment and other objects. The manufacturer does not report the flight range of the KUB-10E drone and its combat capabilities, but it is known that they have increased significantly. The previous version of the KUB drone could fly 50 km, technical information on it is on the channel, it has positive reviews from military personnel. The body of the KUB-10E drone is similar to the Granat-4 UAV, information about it is on the channel. Like the basic model, the new KUB-10E drone is launched from a catapult and reaches a speed of 100 km / h, at a flight altitude of 100 to 2.5 thousand meters. The weight of the warhead is not specified, in the basic version it was about 3 kg. The KUB-10E drone is guided by GPS coordinates or using an optical-electronic system. The drone is equipped with an internal combustion engine.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9flSMp7XX8Q

 

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Another video with the new Gibka-S air defense system. The Gibka-S system is used by air defense personnel of the 30th motorized rifle brigade of the "Central" group of forces. The servicemen accompany military columns of the Russian army. The Gibka-S mobile air defense group includes two combat vehicles created on the basis of the Tigr vehicle: one is equipped with a radar station, the second is equipped with a launcher with four Verba MANPADS missiles. Technical information about the Verba MANPADS and the Gibka-S air defense system is in the links in the comments to the video. The Gibka-S air defense system can hit targets on the move, at speeds up to 30 km / h. The estimated cost of the Tigr armored car with the Verba MANPADS launcher is about 400 thousand dollars. Details of the Gibka-S air defense crew in the video.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx-7n8JOnTE

 

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The long-awaited set of factory equipment for remote control of the Konkurs-M ATGM is shown in Russia. It is worth noting that the military personnel have been waiting for several years for the creation of this equipment for the ATGM. The remote control for the Konkurs-M ATGM was developed by the Russian company Kirov Plant Mayak. The remote control allows you to safely control the ATGM from cover. One set of remote control allows the operator to remotely, in turn, control three Konkurs-M ATGMs. Currently, remote control has been developed only for the Russian Konkurs-M ATGM. The set allows you to remotely control the ATGM at a distance of up to 100 meters using a cable. The time it takes to prepare the ATGM for combat, taking into account the installation of attachments, is no more than 20 minutes. The weight of the remote control equipment is no more than 10 kg, the operating time is up to 8 hours.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqkpViv57wU

 

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Footage of the new Russian 152-mm Malva self-propelled howitzer, equipped with a different long-range artillery weapon. In this version, the 2S43 Malva self-propelled howitzer is additionally equipped with anti-drone shields, a camouflage net, and has a standard electronic warfare system to protect against drones. Previously, the Malva self-propelled howitzer was criticized for its low firing range, after which the developers promised to replace the weapon. In this version of the Malva self-propelled howitzer, there is already a new weapon. Previously, the Malva self-propelled howitzer used a 2A64 gun with a barrel length of 47 calibers. According to the serviceman, the Malva self-propelled howitzer can now fire at a range of up to 50 kilometers. The self-propelled howitzer uses the Krasnopol-M guided projectile. Previously, the charges for the Krasnopol-M projectile were improved and prepared for use in the Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer, and they may have also helped increase the firing range. This version of the Malva self-propelled howitzer is presumably armed with a modified version of the 2A36 Giatsint-B artillery gun. The use of this gun and modified Krasnopol shells equalized the combat capabilities of the Malva self-propelled howitzer and Western-style howitzers. Technical information about the Malva self-propelled howitzer and Krasnopol-M shells are in the comments to the video.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg09D9VQhng

 

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Footage of the assembly and preparation for takeoff of the Russian drone "Lancet-51". The loitering munition "Lancet-51", officially called "Product 51", is produced by the Russian company "Aeroskan", part of the ZALA AERO group of companies.
The drone "Lancet-51" is currently the most advanced and effective drone of the Russian army, technical information on the drone "Lancet-51" in the link in the comments.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L42OohAOv4

 

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Footage of the evacuation to the rear by Russian servicemen of a Ukrainian M113 armored personnel carrier. The M113 armored personnel carriers were developed in the United States in 1957 and began to be used by the American army in 1960. The M113 armored personnel carrier was used by the Ukrainian army to evacuate the wounded, transfer infantry to the front lines and rotate personnel. The Ukrainian M113 IFV ran over a mine in the Kursk region and was abandoned by the crew. After repairs, the M113 IFV may be used by the Russian army


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctJ2CYYgwfM

 

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Footage of the preparation for takeoff of the Russian Su-34 frontline bomber. The video shows the assembly and installation of UMPK modules on Russian FAB aerial bombs and their installation on the aircraft. Refueling the aircraft with kerosene and nitrogen.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu8sKRv7z1o

 

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The New Year's batch of T-90M and T-72B3M tanks has entered service with the Russian Armed Forces. The tanks were manufactured at the Russian tank plant Uralvagonzavod. Over the past few years, over a hundred changes have been made to the design of Russian tanks. The tanks are now equipped with anti-FVP drone nets and rubber-reinforced protection, the "Mangal" type of protection. The rear, engine, and engine-transmission compartment of the tanks have received additional protection. In addition, the equipment is equipped with means of reducing visibility and electronic warfare systems to counter drones.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sc4sl8QY5c

 

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Rare footage of combat work of the Russian ZRPK 2K22M Tunguska-M and ZRPK 2K22M1 Tunguska-M1, as it turned out, this air defense is still actively used, but it is shown very rarely. The anti-aircraft gun and missile system 2K22 Tunguska or 2S6, was adopted by the USSR in 1982, it replaced the ZSU-23-4 Shilka air defense. Currently, the 2K22 Tunguska air defense system is used by eight countries, and the Ukrainian army also uses it. Russia has 250 Tunguska-M air defense systems of different versions, some of them are not in the best condition.

The developer of the Tunguska-M1 air defense system is the State Unitary Enterprise Instrument Design Bureau, and the Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant is engaged in its production. The development of the 2K22 Tunguska air defense system was difficult, since the Osa-AK short-range air defense system appeared in the USSR in 1975. In some respects, the Osa-AK was better than the Tunguska air defense system, but the reaction time to some targets was better for the Tunguska air defense system. The Tunguska air defense system is designed to destroy air and ground targets, and it cannot shoot down some small drones and FPV, but there are exceptions. In 1990, the 2K22M Tunguska-M system was adopted for service. In 2003, it was upgraded to the 2K22M1 Tunguska-M1 level.

The Tunguska-M1 air defense missile and gun system is mounted on a GM-5975 or GM-352 tracked chassis. The system can be distinguished by its oval-shaped radar. The Tunguska-M1 air defense system is up to 1.5 times more effective than the previous version of the Tunguska-M system. The Tunguska-M1 modification features a fully automated process of missile targeting and information exchange with the battery command post, as well as other improvements. The Tunguska-M1 is equipped with a 1RL144 target detection radar and a target tracking radar, an optical sight, a digital computing system, and navigation equipment. The radar can detect targets at a distance of up to 18 km and track them from 16 km.

The system includes equipment for receiving and implementing external automated target designation. The 2S6M1 Tunguska-M1 combat vehicle is equipped with two 30-mm 2A38 automatic cannons, which are also installed on the Pantsir-S air defense missile system. The range of destruction of air targets is up to 3,000 meters at altitude and up to 4,000 meters at range. The Tunguska-M1 air defense missile system's missile armament consists of 8 9M311-M1 missiles. The 9M311-M1 missile has radio command guidance with an optical communication line. The missile can destroy targets moving at speeds of up to 500 m/s. The missile has a radar fuse with a response radius of up to 5 meters, and the warhead of the missile weighs 9 kg. The range of destruction of air targets by 9M311-M1 missiles is up to 10 km, and up to 3.5 km at altitude. The Tunguska-M1 air defense system weighs about 34 tons, has a speed of up to 60 km/h and is serviced by 4 operators. The estimated export price of the 2K22M1 Tunguska-M1 system is $7 million for a battery of 6 units, with support vehicles.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrl6Sa642O0