Russian forces face deadly setbacks in Ukraine over demining gaps
Russian troops are suffering losses in Ukraine due to a lack of key demining equipment, Forbes reports. Consequently, the Russians are falling into what are described as "bloody ambushes."
Russian units are experiencing significant losses in Ukraine due to a shortage of demining equipment. According to Forbes, in recent days, two Russian platoons have been decimated due to this lack of proper equipment. Ukrainian forces are effectively counterattacking in the Toretsk area, making it difficult 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" in which the soldiers fell due to the absence of demining equipment. Despite having a full set of armoured vehicles, they were missing crucial equipment, which doomed them to failure.
Analysts note that the Ukrainian armed forces anticipate the routes that may be used by Russian units and place anti-personnel and anti-tank mines on them. This enables them to effectively attack Russian troops before they reach Ukrainian positions. Deprived of demining equipment, Russian units have to opt for other, often more predictable, routes.
Russian demining equipment
When it comes to equipment used by the Russians for demining, the primary vehicle is 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 is a charge in the form of a snake filled with explosive material. The combat charge UZ-67 used in the vehicle can be deployed up to a distance of about 350 metres, allowing for the clearance of an area measuring approximately 80 by 6 metres. Also in use is a newer charge, the ZRSz, which consists of modules that are approximately 6 metres long and allows for the clearance of an area measuring about 100 by 6 metres.
The armour of the UR-77 demining vehicle is approximately 2 centimetres thick, while its propulsion system (transferred to the track system) consists of a single diesel engine generating power of around 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 utilise not only UR-77 vehicles. Among their arsenal are unmanned Uran-6 vehicles, which move on tracked wheels and use three different anti-mine flails designed to work in various types of soil for mine clearing.
