Western armored vehicles in offensive operation in the Kharkiv Region

Ukrainian troops succeeded in liberating almost the entire Kharkiv Region in just a week.

First information about the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of the city of Balakliia in the Kharkiv Region appeared on the afternoon of September 6.

The military chose an equilateral white cross to mark Ukrainian equipment during the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Region.

In just a few days, Ukrainian troops managed to take control of such important cities for Russia as Kupiansk and Izium. Kupiansk was an important logistics center through which the invaders could support their military in Izium. The Izium bridgehead was used by the Russian military to attack the north of the Donetsk Region.

In seven days, four cities were liberated: Balakliia, Izium, Kupiansk and Vovchansk. The total area of these de-occupied territories is more than 2 thousand square kilometers.

During the operation, some Ukrainian units broke through with battles for tens of kilometers per day.

The Kremlin did not immediately admit its defeat. Only on September 10, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation said that it had “curtailed” and “regrouped” its troops from the Kharkiv Region to strengthen the Donetsk direction.

The Russian retreat, which the Russian Ministry of Defense called “regrouping,” was chaotic and led to significant losses in equipment that was destroyed or captured by the Ukrainian forces relatively unscathed.

The Ukrainian victory in the operation in the Kharkiv Region was achieved in particular due to the advantage in high-quality weapons that Ukraine received from partner countries.

KRAB

During the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces used their new artillery.

In particular, Polish-made 155mm KRAB self-propelled howitzers.

In May 2022, Ukraine received its first 18 KRAB howitzers as part of military support from Poland.

The crew of this ACS consists of five fighters. Its weight is about 50 tons. The deployment time of the howitzer from the march to the firing mission is 30 seconds. ACS electronic systems have digital radio communication and thermal imagers, warning, self-protection and ground navigation systems with topographic binding.

Fire adjustment is performed using UAV. The power plant of 1000 horsepower allows to reach a speed of up to 60 kilometers per hour on asphalt and 30 on a dirt road. The range reaches 400 km.

PzH 2000

During the counteroffensive, German Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery systems were actively used.

Formally, the Ukrainian military received 10 PzH 2000 self-propelled guns. This was a joint support package from Germany and the Netherlands. Together with the adapted self-propelled guns, the Ukrainian military received spare parts for this equipment and operational training.

PzH 2000 is made on the basis of the tank Leopard 2.

The German self-propelled artillery system has an autoloader system and a high level of automation of all systems.

М109

During the counterattack, M109 self-propelled artillery systems are used.

There is little information about the operation of these self-propelled guns. It is possible that the Ukrainian military used the M109 in the Kharkiv Region. Ukraine received M109 from Latvia last month. These are six M109A5 self-propelled howitzers.

М109A5 is able to fire at a distance of 22 km with conventional ammunition and at a distance of 30 km with special ones.

It takes a minute to move from the march to the first howitzer shot, and 30 seconds to leave the position after firing.

M142/M270

During the counteroffensive of the Kharkiv Region, videos began to appear with M270 and M142 HIMARS rocket artillery systems.

The authors of the video reported that these MLRS were recorded in the Kharkiv Region, but the installations did not have identification marks in the form of white crosses.

It was reported that M142/M270 worked on Russian positions from the area of the liberated Balakliia. The M270 MLRS was accompanied by Turkish-made Kirpi armored vehicles.

The United States of America transferred 16 M142 HIMARS systems to Ukraine. Germany supplied three MARS II multiple rocket launchers (M270), and Britain transferred six M270 to Ukraine.

Т-72М1

During the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces used Т-72М1 tanks, which were transferred by the European Union countries.

Ukraine received Т-72 tanks from Poland, the Czech Republic and North Macedonia. Poland gave about 200 tanks to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Т-72М tank is an export version of the Soviet Т-72А tank. M1 modification of this tank was manufactured in 1982.

The tank received an additional 16mm armor plate on the upper frontal part of the hull and combined turret armor.

FV103 Spartan

During the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces used FV103 Spartan armored personnel carriers received from the United Kingdom.

The FV103 belongs to the CVR (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance) family of armored vehicles.

In the British Army, this APC is used to transport small specialized groups of scouts, anti-aircraft crews, mortars, sappers, etc.

The Spartan can carry up to seven soldiers, including three crew members. This armored personnel carrier has one 7.62 mm machine gun.

М113

During the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces used various modifications of M113 armored personnel carriers.

Ukraine received them from the United States and the European Union countries.

The light universal floating М113 IFV is the main tracked armored personnel carrier in service with US Army mechanized troops.

In its initial configuration, М113 had a 12.7mm machine gun and a gasoline engine. Subsequently, the armored personnel carrier was improved several times.

Bushmaster

During the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces used Bushmaster armored personnel carriers, which were transferred by Australia.

In service with the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, Bushmasters were equipped with R400S-MK2-D-HD combat modules.

The Australian Bushmaster MRAP is produced by Thales Australia.

This vehicle is capable of carrying nine fighters. It provides protection against small arms and mine explosions (6 kg of TNT), which requires the STANAG 4569 standard.

MaxxPro

During the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces used International MaxxPro armored personnel carriers provided by the United States.

The design of the armored vehicle is special, since it is protected by a V-bottom body.

The MaxxPro is said to be capable of protecting the crew in case of a landmine explosion of up to 7kg TNT. The total weight of the vehicle, depending on the modification, is 12.7-13.4 tons.

The armored vehicle can carry three crew members (driver, commander and gunner) and up to six soldiers in the landing compartment. There is an open turret for installing 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns on the roof.

HMMWV

During the counter-offensive in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces used a HMMWV high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle.

These four-wheel-drive military vehicles are being handed over to Ukraine by hundreds of units from the United States.

During the counterattack, they were used by assault mobile groups, which installed Browning M2 machine guns on HMMWV and used AT4 grenade launchers from them.

HMMWV has a 4×4 wheel arrangement. The GM diesel V8 engine 6.2L 160 hp, or V8 GM 6.5L up to 195 hp, GM automatic four-band transmission 4L80-E with a two-speed transfer box. Top speed 113 km/h (70 mph).

Vehicles

During the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces used various foreign vehicles and trucks.

In particular, French light vehicles Peugeot P4, German MAN KAT 5T trucks, Swiss Saurer 2DM trucks, armored Pinzgauer Vector PPV of BAE Systems and other equipment.

It is worth noting that this is probably not a complete list of Western equipment involved. Also, during the counteroffensive, the Ukrainian military used previously captured armored vehicles from the Russian military.