Database and Video Overview of the Russian Weaponry in the Donbas

InformNapalm international volunteer community identified more than 40 types of weaponry and special equipment of the Russian Armed Forces in the Donbas through open-source intelligence activities (analysis of satellite imagery, chance videos made by bystanders, personal photos from social network accounts of Russian mercenaries and military personnel, etc.). Most of the identified pieces are relatively new types which entered service with the Russian Army from 2004 to 2015. The weapons and equipment presented in the report directly point to the Russian presence in the occupied parts of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts. This report features only confirmed data. We did not use include the information about the types of equipment reported by intelligence agencies of Ukraine without photo or video evidence. We also did not include the Buk surface-to-air missile system (SAM), which destroyed MH17 airliner, since the official report of the investigative group containing the exact modification of the SAM system used is expected in the near future.

It should be noted, that the use of the latest Russian military hardware in the Donbas is not a mass phenomenon, and looks more like spot troop tests. Most part of identified systems are electronic warfare (EW) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems. Such types of equipment can only be operated by qualified personnel. Therefore we strongly believe that they have not been transferred to local illegal armed groups. Operation and maintenance of this equipment is carried out by professional Russian servicemen. While testing the novel types of equipment, Russian political leadership continues saturating the occupied territories of Ukraine with the de-mothballed Soviet legacy weapons.

InformNapalm formed a special database with the results of its own OSINT investigations in the period from 2014 to 2016. Permanent link: http://bit.ly/RuWeaponryDonbasEN.

We also produced infographics based on the report.

Armament and military equipment of the Russian Army in Donbas

 

GAZ-233014 Tigr, infantry mobility vehicle

Approved for service by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2005. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Luhansk Oblast in numerous InformNapalm investigations. This infantry mobility vehicle (IMV) belongs to the 136th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the of the 58th Army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation.

Tigr has level 3 ballistic protection according to the Russian GOST R 50963-96 technical standard. The roof of the vehicle has a large rotating pop-up hatch with brackets for weapons.

Additional details

GAZ-3937 Vodnik, infantry mobility vehicle

Russian multipurpose all-terrain armored vehicle designed for personnel and cargo transportation. It provides protection for the crew from small arms. Approved for service by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2005. Never supplied to Ukraine.

It features in a video from Sorokyne (formerly Krasnodon, Luhansk Oblast) made on January 10, 2015.

Additional details

KAMAZ-43269 Vystrel, infantry mobility vehicle

This Russian light-armored IMV is equipped with an armed rotating turret. It can be fitted out with a 14.5mm KPVT machine gun, 12.7mm Kord machine gun, 30mm Plamya grenade launcher, or an anti-tank missile system. It passed the experimental test at the 7th military base in Gudauta. Since 2009, vehicles of this type were recorded in Georgia on Russian occupation military bases in Abkhazia and Samachablo (Tskhinvali region). In particular, on the 4th Russian occupation base in Tskhinvali (military unit 66431) there were 4 vehicles with hull numbers 300, 301, 302, 303 and identical camouflage belonging to the intelligence unit equipped with Dozor UAV’s.

This IMV is also used by regional special units of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation. Identified in Luhansk and Luhansk Oblasts in numerous InformNapalm investigations. More than 10 vehicles of this type were recorded in Donbas

Investigation #1 Investigation #2 Investigation #3

BTR-82A, armored personnel carrier

This Russian armored personnel carrier (APC) is a deep modernization of the BTR-80. Armament: integrated turret system armed with a 30 mm automatic cannon 2A42 aligned with a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun. Approved for service by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2005. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Luhansk Oblast in numerous InformNapalm investigations. In service with a unit of the 18th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

T-72B, main battle tank, 1989 model

Modernized version of the T-72 equipped with new armament and fire control systems, Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor (ERA), 9K120 Svir laser-guided antitank guided missile system (ATGM), B-84 engine, 1A40 fire control system, and 2A46M smoothbore gun.

Never supplied to Ukraine. It has been identified in Luhansk, Debaltseve and Makiivka in numerous InformNapalm investigations. The 5th Armored Brigade of the Eastern Military District of Russia was identified as its operator.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

T-72BA, main battle tank, 1999 model

A modernized modification of the T-72B, modernization is performed at the Uralvagonzavod factory within an overhaul. First tanks were delivered in 1999-2000. The modification included upgrading of 1A40-1 fire control system (initially to 1A40-1M, and as of 2005 to 1A40-M2), installation of a new 2E42-4 Jasmine gun stabilizer, enhanced anti-landmine bottom protection with an additional armor plate under the driver seat, replacement of the chassis and the engine (initially, with B-84MS engine, as of 2003 – with B-92S2), and installation of Kontakt-5 ERA. The modified version is set apart from the regular B model by new track chains, ERA and a distinctive wind sensor on the turret. Never supplied to Ukraine.

The destruction of Russian tanks of this modification was recorded near Starobesheve (Donetsk Oblast). Their operator was identified as the 21-th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Army.

Additional details

T-72B3, main battle tank, 2011 model

The upgraded version of the T-72. Supplied to the Russian Army from 2012. The tank is fitted with the latest fire control system, Kontakt-5 ERA, B-84-1 engine (840 hp rated power), Sosna-U thermal imaging scope, a wind sensor, enhanced communication equipment, an advanced gun stabilizer and a protection kit from weapons of mass destruction. It also received improved automatic gun loader for new munitions, and enhanced chassis with parallel hinge track chains. Never supplied to Ukraine.

It has been identified in Luhansk, Ilovaisk and Debaltseve in numerous InformNapalm investigations. The destruction of Russian tanks of this modification was recorded near Debaltseve. Operated by the 6th Armored Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

Machinery_008

T-90A, main battle tank, 2006 model

Modification of the T-90. It is fitted with up-to-date second-generation ESSA thermal imaging scope, stabilized in two planes and integrated with the main scope and its range-finding channel, enhancing the night vision range from 1800 to 4000 m. Never supplied to Ukraine.

Identified by InformNapalm in Luhansk Oblast. In service with the 136-st Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces.

Additional details

T-72S1, main battle tank

The export version of the T-72B1, was supplied by Russia to Iran and Venezuela in 2011-2012. The main external difference from the T-72B is the TPN-3-49 night sight and the DVE-BS wind sensor. It was introduced into the Russian army in 1993, following cancellations of a number of export sales. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified by InformNapalm at a factory in Bile village (Luhansk Oblast) not far from the M04 motorway, 3 km west of Zbirna railway station.

Additional details

KamAZ-5350 Mustang, military truck

Russian military truck with 6×6 wheel drive. Never supplied to Ukraine. Spotted in Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts. A vehicle of this type with an additional protection kit and the MM-501 multi-functional module to transport personnel was recorded destroyed in Khrustalnyi (formerly Krasnyi Luch, Luhansk Oblast)

Additional details

Ural-632301, military truck

Russian multi-purpose 8×8 truck with lifting capacity of up to 14 tons. Approved for service by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in 2004. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Donetsk Oblast in numerous InformNapalm investigations.

Additional details

Ural-43206, military truck

Russian multi-purpose 4×4 truck. Initially issued to the Russian army in 2008. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Luhansk Oblast in numerous InformNapalm investigations.

Additional details

2B26 Grad-K, multiple launch rocket system

Modernized version of the BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) mounted on KamAZ-5350 chassis, instead of the dated Ural-375D.

Entered service with the Russian army in 2011. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Chystiakove (formerly Torez, Donetsk Oblast) in numerous InformNapalm investigations.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

9K58 Smerch, multiple launch rocket system

This 300mm MLRS is in service both with the Russian and the Ukrainian army. However, there are no registered facts of the militants capturing this system as a trophy. On the 22nd January 2015, a Smerch launcher was spotted in the occupied city of Makiivka (Donetsk Oblast). On the 10th of February 2015 the pro-Russain militants launched a rocket attack on the military airfield and residential areas of Kramatorsk, causing casualties between both Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.

Additional details

1RL232-2M Leopard, battlefield surveillance radar

This sophisticated ground-based battlefield surveillance radar station is capable of detecting ground and marine surface targets as well as artillery shell bursts. It is also capable of detecting moving convoys, single ground, surface and low-flying moving targets. The high positioning accuracy for targets and shell bursts allows for precision fire adjustment. Its radio-electronic equipment enables the station to monitor the operational environment in range from 200 m to 40 km. Unveiled at the Oboronexpo 2014 exhibition. Never supplied to Ukraine.

Identified in Debaltseve, Donetsk Oblast in numerous InformNapalm investigations.

Additional details

9K330 Tor, 9K331 Tor M-1 and 9K332 Tor M-2, tactical surface-to-air missile systems

This is an all-weather low to medium altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed for engaging airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision guided munitions, UAV’s and short-range ballistic threats. 9K330 Tor was phased out from service with the Ukrainian Army in 2001. There is no evidence of capture of this type of SAM by militants. 9K330 SAM was identified in Donetsk and its latest Russian modification 9K332 was recorded in Shahtarsk, Donetsk Oblast on January 20, 2015 in InformNapalm investigations.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

96K6 Pantsir-S1, surface-to-air missile and gun system

Russian self-propelled land-based surface-to-air missile and gun system (SAGM). Designed to provide point air defense of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAV’s, as well as to provide additional protection to air defense units from air and surface threats. Approved for service by the Russian Ministry of Defense on November 16, 2012. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Luhansk and Shakhtarsk, Donetsk Oblast in InformNapalm investigations.

Additional details

P-166-0,5 radio station

Mobile military medium-power HF/VHF radio station based on K1Sh1 versatile wheel chassis. Approved for service by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2005. Never supplied to Ukraine.

Identified in Debaltseve, Donetsk Oblast in numerous InformNapalm investigations.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

R-441-OV Liven, radio station

Mobile satellite communications station. Designed to provide countermeasures-safe satellite communication for military units and separate objects of operational and operational-strategic command levels. Approved for service by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2007. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Luhansk in InformNapalm investigations.

Additional details

Kushetka-B R-149BMR, command vehicle

Russian command and staff vehicle of the operational and tactical level based on K1Sh1 chassis. It is designed to ensure monitoring of the combat zone operational environment. It is fitted with HF and VHF radios and navigation equipment. Never supplied to Ukraine. Spotted in Luhansk Oblast.

Additional details

RB-341V Leer-3, EW system

Russian GSM jamming system equipped with a drone functioning as the remote jamming antenna. It includes a control truck on KAMAZ-5350 chassis and an Orlan-10 drone. Objectives: jamming of mobile communication, simulation of GSM 900 and GSM 1800 base stations and emission of faked signals (messages), signals intelligence by detecting emission points of GSM phones, detection of users’ coordinates (mobile phones, tablets and other communication devices), target indication to artillery units. Unveiled in early October 2015. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Donetsk by InformNapalm.

Additional details

R-378B Borisoglebsk-2, EW system

Russian automated jamming station mounted on the MT-LB chassis. The system is designed to jam mobile satellite communication and navigation systems within integrated tactical command and control systems. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Kadiіvka (formerly Stakhanov, Luhansk Oblast) and Luhansk.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

R-934UM, EW system

Russian radio jamming station. It provides automated detection, direction finding and signals intelligence of radio sources in the frequency range between 100 and 2000 MHz; it also jams VHF radiotelephone and mobile trunked radio systems. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Luhansk in InformNapalm investigations.

Additional details

R-330Zh Zhitel, EW system

Russian radio jamming station. It provides automated detection, direction finding and signal intelligence of radio emitting sources in the frequency range between 100 and 2000 MHz; it also jams portable and mobile ground stations (user terminals) of INMARSAT and IRIDIUM satellite communication systems, navigation equipment of NAVSTAR (GPS) satellite radio navigation system users and base stations of GSM-900/1800 cellular communication systems. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Makiivka and Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast in numerous InformNapalm investigations.

Additional details

Machinery_025

Torn, EW system

Russian radio jamming station. Specifications are not known. Currently in testing with the Russian Army. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Donetsk in the InformNapalm investigation.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

Rtut-BM, EW system

Russian radio proximity fuse jamming station. Designed for the protection of personnel and military equipment from various types of shells and missiles equipped with proximity fuses. In addition, the system can be used to jam communication and radar systems. Released in 2011, first entered service with the Russian Army in 2013. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Donetsk in the InformNapalm investigations.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

RB-636AM2 Svet-KU, EW system

Designed for monitoring of the airwaves and tracking various radio emitting sources. The system is able to monitor the radio environment and to protect the data transmitted over wireless channels against interception. The equipment is capable of tracking signals of different electronic systems, perform their analysis and locate the source of these signals. Svet-KU is capable of receiving signals in the frequency range from 25 MHz to 18 GHz. An early version of the RB-636AM2 is mounted on KamAZ-4350 two-axle chassis. There is a new version of the system, presented at the specialized exhibitions in 2015, mounted on a Ford Transit chassis. Entered service with the Russian Army in 2012. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Luhansk in the InformNapalm investigation .

Additional details

Granat-1, UAV

Russian unmanned aerial vehicle, part of a remote monitoring and relay system, capable of air surveillance by photo, video and thermal imaging equipment within an operating range of 15 km. The development of the system was completed in 2010. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Debaltseve in the InformNapalm investigation.

Additional details

Granat-2, UAV

Russian unmanned aerial vehicle, part of the of a remote monitoring and relay system, capable of air surveillance by photo, video and thermal imaging equipment within an operating range of 15 km. The development of the system was completed in 2010. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Debaltseve in the InformNapalm investigation.

Investigation #1 Investigation #2

Forpost, UAV

Russian unmanned aerial vehicle. A licensed copy of an Israeli Searcher 2 drone. Manufactured at the Ural Works of Civil Aviation since 2012. Its maximum operating range is 250 km. Never supplied to Ukraine.

On the 20th of May 2015 the UAV of this type, with the side number 923 was shot down by Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast. According to the InformNapalm investigation, the Forpost UAV is in service with only 5 units of the Russian Armed Forces in 2015 (totally, 10 UAV’s, 2 pieces per each military unit).

Additional details Additional details #2

Orlan-10, UAV

Russian unmanned aerial vehicle. Its maximum operating range is 120 km. The system has been in operation since 2010. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Zelenopillia, Luhansk Oblast and Amvrosiivka, Donetsk Oblast.

Additional details

Eleron-3SV, UAV

Russian unmanned aerial vehicle. Its maximum operating range is 25 km. Never supplied to Ukraine. Identified in Olenivka village, Donetsk Oblast in the InformNapalm investigation.

Additional details

Zastava, UAV

Russian unmanned aerial vehicle. A licensed copy of the Israeli UAV manufactured by IAI. Manufactured at the Ural Works of Civil Aviation since 2010. Its maximum operating range is 10 km. It is in service with the Russian Armed Forces. Never supplied to Ukraine. It was shot down by Ukrainian border guards near Harasymivka village, Luhansk Oblast.

Additional details

Our Interactive Map and Database

Our database of Russian weaponry spotted in Ukraine is the result of hard investigative work, and we continue improving our data and adding new records. So far, we have identified 34 types of military hardware that was never exported to Ukraine and could not be taken as a trophy. Each record has a link to a detailed investigation behind each case. So, you can not only browse the database, but follow the logical thread of exposing the crime.

How to use the interactive map: You can click on any color dot to view the photo and other information about the identified hardware. Please note that each hardware item is marked according to the class it belongs to. Please click the drop-down list “Colored by class” to view the legend. You can also select “Explore” to access advanced options, such as filtering.

How to use this database: You can simply look through all data cards and click different links to InformNapalm investigations for the details. The database contains over 30 data cards, so do not forget to click “Load more”, if you want to see all records.

InformNapalm_logo_05 (CC BY) Information specially prepared for InformNapalm.org site, an active link to the authors and our project is obligatory for any reprint or further use of the material.

We urge readers to actively share our publications on social networks. Submission of materials investigations into the public domain is able to turn the tide of battle information and confrontation.

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15 Responses to “Database and Video Overview of the Russian Weaponry in the Donbas”

  1. […] on separatist side and that new Russian military equipment was seen in Donbas, according to an extensive database of the InformNapalm . It means that without Moscow’s help separatist militants would be deemed to a […]

  2. […] Database and Video Overview of the Russian Weaponry in the Donbas […]

  3. […] Database and Video Overview of the Russian Weaponry in the Donbas […]

  4. […] also:  Database and Video Overview of the Russian Weaponry in the […]

  5. […] A study by the international volunteer community InformNapalm from 17 September 2016 shows that 31 weapons systems identified in Donbas entered service with the Russian military between 2004 and 2015 and have never been produced in or sold to Ukraine — this study was presented at meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. […]

  6. […] A study by the international volunteer community InformNapalm from 17 September 2016 shows that 31 weapons systems identified in Donbas entered service with the Russian military between 2004 and 2015 and have never been produced in or sold to Ukraine — this study was presented at meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. […]

  7. […] includes more than 75 military units and 150 cases. Our permanent links: [silk], [googledocs];— videographics and database of more than 30 types of Russian Army weaponry and equipment in Donbas available here [[silk […]

  8. […] att växa. Om databasen i oktober 2016 omfattade 33 olika typer av vapenutrustning, innehåller den senaste versionen, som släpptes i januari 2017 nu 41 olika typer. Enstaka fall av identifierad rysk rustning blir […]

  9. […] military equipment recorded during the InformNapalm’s investigations can be found in the database here. As of March 22, 2017, there are 43 types of weapons with photos and video evidence in the […]

  10. […] InformNapalm volunteer intelligence community continues to populate the database of the weaponry and equipment of the Russian Army identified in Donbas. As of March 10, 2017, the database v1.6 already contained 42 pieces of equipment, which had never […]

  11. […] addition to the latest models of military equipment, Russia supplies the terrorists of the so-called “DPR” and “LPR” with […]

  12. […] Here you can see a database and video overview of over 40 types of Russian weapons and special equipment in the Donbas. [silk interactive database] […]

  13. […] started using T-72 tanks, as well as other Russian weapons and equipment, which were no longer possible to disguise as […]

  14. […] Please refer to the infographics based on InformNapalm investigation database. […]

  15. […] type of sophisticated Russian military equipment was included in the evidence database of the participation of the Russian Armed Forces in the occupation of parts of Luhansk and Donetsk […]

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