Russia vs Ukraine weapons compared: Military expert analyses battlefield equipment
Times Radio
16 min, 56 sec
Detailed overview of the diverse range of infantry weapons and equipment used by Ukrainian and Russian forces, including issues faced and adaptations made.
Summary
- Ukrainian and Russian forces employ a vast array of weapons and equipment, with Ukraine receiving significant international support.
- Russian forces encountered early issues with new AK variants and distribution of modern gear, leading to a reliance on older or lower-quality equipment.
- Both sides have access to a mix of indigenous and imported arms, though Ukraine benefits from Western support in terms of infantry gear.
- The conflict has seen the use of equipment from virtually every era and origin, with a significant amount of gear and weapons being donated to Ukraine from around the globe.
- Despite early struggles, both Ukrainian and Russian infantry are now generally well-equipped, with comparable levels of body armor and firearms.
Chapter 1
Benjamin Schiff, an expert in Russian equipment, discusses the diverse weaponry in Ukraine and the challenges Russia faces with its new rifle systems.
- Ukraine has a mix of weapons from different eras and nations, with even Luxembourg donating anti-tank weapons.
- The Russian AK-12 series faced issues with the safety mechanism and rail system, hindering the mounting of new optics.
- Schiff explains the newer AKs lack compatibility with older optics due to design changes, causing issues for Russian forces.
Chapter 2
An exploration of Russian body armor capabilities, including testing outcomes and the rapid production of lower quality equipment.
- Russian Ratnik armor plates, while effective, were not distributed evenly among troops, leading to some using outdated equipment.
- High-quality Ratnik plates performed well against various ammunition types but were not produced in sufficient quantity.
- The rush to fill equipment gaps resulted in lower quality steel plates, though recent imports of Chinese ceramic are improving the situation.
Chapter 3
Ukraine's military benefits from diverse international support, with gear from nearly every European nation and beyond.
- Ukraine received a wide range of NATO weapons and training over the last eight years, fostering a strong military culture.
- Donations from nations around the world have equipped Ukrainian forces with high-quality firearms and body armor.
- Despite the array of equipment, Ukrainian forces are well-equipped and not facing shortages like those experienced by Russia.