Russian troops face setbacks in Ukraine due to demining issues
Russian troops are experiencing losses in Ukraine due to a lack of key demining equipment, reports Forbes. As a result, the Russians are falling into "bloody ambushes," it notes.
Russian units are facing significant losses in Ukraine because of this shortage. According to Forbes, in recent days, two Russian platoons have been heavily affected due to the lack of adequate equipment. Ukrainian forces are effectively counterattacking in the Toretsk area, making it challenging for Russian commanders to halt their advancements.
Lack of demining equipment
Russian forces attempted to attack near Andriivka, but their efforts ended in failure. The reason was a "bloody ambush" into which the soldiers fell due to the lack of demining equipment. Despite having a full set of armoured vehicles, they lacked crucial equipment, which led to their downfall.
Analysts note that the Ukrainian armed forces anticipate routes that may be used by Russian units and lay anti-personnel and anti-tank mines along them. This allows them to effectively attack Russian troops before they reach Ukrainian positions. Deprived of demining equipment, Russian units have to choose other, often more predictable, routes.
Russian demining equipment
When it comes to equipment the Russians use for demining, it primarily includes the UR-77 Meteorit. This vehicle, constructed during the Soviet era, remains in use by the Russian Federation's army today.
The UR-77 is designed to clear landmines using an elongated explosive charge, which is a charge shaped like a snake filled with explosive material. The combat charge UZ-67 used in the vehicle can be discharged to a distance of about 350 metres and allows for clearing an area of approximately 80 by 6 metres. There's also a newer charge, the ZRSz, consisting of modules about 6 metres long, which allows for clearance of an area measuring about 100 by 6 metres.
The armour of the UR-77 demining vehicle is approximately 2 centimetres thick. Its propulsion system, transferred to the track system, includes a single diesel engine generating approximately 300 horsepower. It can reach speeds of up to approximately 60 km/h on roads and around 30 km/h off-road.
The Russians also use other equipment besides UR-77 vehicles. They have unmanned Uran-6 vehicles, which move on tracked wheels and employ three different anti-mine flails designed for various types of soil during mine clearing.
