KYIV, UKRAINE — One of the first armored vehicles that Ukraine received at the beginning of the war was the tracked M113. An outdated American design, but delivered in large quantities to Kyiv, the army of Ukraine continues to use the infantry fighting vehicle very actively.
A video shared on social media a day ago [March 18] shows the tracked APC screeching to the roar of machine guns. A picture, dark and cold, witnessing not so much a modern war as a battle from the First World War.
The action takes place in Bakhmut – the center of the war in Ukraine for the last month. Dutch-supplied YPR-765 APCs that are aftermarket US M113s maneuver across the battlefield. The M113s advance and reverse in sequence. Dirt is all around them, especially on the faces of the soldiers in the trenches. The M113s don’t stop because they will be more easily targeted by enemy fire.
More is needed
The video is really intriguing but it shows that Ukraine will need more armored vehicles. The fact is that the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces are highly vulnerable through their armored vehicles. Left alone, they become noisy and deadly traps. Infantry support is required in this with much more advanced machines on the battlefield.
Proof of this is one of the last documented battles. March 15, somewhere on the outskirts of the city of Novodanilovka in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian forces attempted to scout Russian positions but were heavily attacked and failed. Burning Ukrainian armored vehicles complete the picture of the battle. They came under fire from the Russian armed forces when they were out in the open.
However, one thing is indicative – Ukraine is trying to cope with what was delivered from the west. Set against the gruesome footage, it’s impressive to see a 1960s design take part in the battle. Yes, in combat, not in training.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 21 February 2022, Russia claimed that Ukrainian shelling had destroyed an FSB border facility. Russia claimed that it had killed 5 Ukrainian soldiers. They tried to cross into Russian territory. Ukraine denied being involved in both incidents and called them a false flag.
On the same day, the Russian government formally recognized the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR. According to Putin not only in their de-facto controlled areas, but the Ukrainian Oblasts as a whole. Putin ordered Russian troops, including tanks, to enter the regions.
On 24 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine by Russian Armed Forces previously concentrated along the border. The invasion followed by targeted airstrikes of military buildings in the country, as well as tanks entering via the Belarus border.
Russia has so far not recognized the invasion of Ukraine as a “war”, although that is exactly what it is, claiming that it is a “special military operation”. According to the UN, a “special military operation” can only take place after a UN resolution. There is no such resolution. So this is an invasion and war against Ukraine.
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