Debunking Myths of the Russian army in Ukraine
Myths about the Russian Army in Ukraine
The amount of propaganda around this war is hilarious. Let's go over some of it shall we. We'll show you why you shouldn't trust anything western media, western governments or Ukraine says regarding Russian.
We'll use Forbes, a well trusted and commonly used source by westerners.
In 2022
2023
2024
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/01/10/russia-might-be-running-out-of-tanks/
2025
It's literally the same nonsense repeated every year.
Or how about this in 2023 saying Ukraine is going to run out of T-64s
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/02/16/ukraine-is-going-to-run-out-of-t-64-tanks/
To in 2024 saying they aren't even close
Like Jesus fucking christ and the worst thing is the complete morons who believe this nonsense.
How about this,
Literally repeating a meme created online with photoshop as if it's fact.
https://youtu.be/ZdCw38mrQDY?si=KpnwMDAMCZFGht-P
or this
Claiming Russia has to downgrade their T-72B3s and T-80BVMs because they can't build new sights when it's a cheap solution to mass produced T-72s and T-80s called T-72BMs and T-80BMs and they are nothing to do with T-72B3s or T-80BVMs and are made by upgrading T-72Bs and T-80BVs from storage.
We'll go into this further in our myths section because it deserves its own section due to how pervasive it is.
How about this.
Claims the 1PN96MT-02 thermal sight is akin to NATO sights used in the late 70s. Such sights were early 1st Generation with single matrix formats like 64x to 128x with resolutions of 320×240p being the standard then.
The 1PN96MT-02 is a 640x480 FPA microbolometer with a thermal image resolution of 640×480p, this is firmly mid to high tier 2nd Generation by all standards. So firmly a 00s sight.
Here's a good one from ISW saying Russia lost half their T-72Bs in one year. So if we include all (like they do) that's around ~5000
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-lost-half-t72b-tanks-one-year-war-ukraine-western-tanks-1782314
That's more than the total number of tanks Russia has lost based on Oryx estimates (numbers they use lol) in over 2 years. Again how people believe this rubbish is beyond me.
Or how about this classic
2022-2023 Russia is running out of missiles
https://thedefensepost.com/2022/09/01/russia-missiles-running-out/
To 2023 missile attack
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/29/europe/ukraine-russia-airstrikes-intl-hnk/index.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/29_December_2023_Russian_strikes_on_Ukraine
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/29/russia-launches-huge-wave-missile-strikes-ukraine
And I'm sure you heard about the recent 2024 attacks
so yeah moving on.
Another good bit propaganda is the idea that Russia has a war economy
Now a war economy means you have several things
High defence spending (relative to normal)
Large amount of GDP dedicated to defence so usually over ~20% or at minimum ~10%
The majority if not all tax revenue dedicated to defence budget
The majority if not all of your active service and reserve deployed or in use
Much of your population has been mobilised to help the war effort
Large expansion of military production (again relative to normal) like nationalising of industries.
So let's see.
Russia
2025 Tax Revenue Defense Spending 18%
2025 GDP Defence Nominal Spending 6%
2025 GDP PPP Defence Spending 2%
2025 Defense Budget $120 Billion
Russian army deployed in Ukraine total all together 2022-2025 is around 700,000 out of 3.3m so that's around 30%
Their 2021 defence spending was around $80 billion so that's an increase of around 12%
There has been no mobilisation of civilians into military production or into industries that support the war effort.
We have seen no expansion of military production, civilian factories haven't been requisitioned into military production, new factories that produce shells, tanks, small arms etc. have not been built
For taking up chunk of economy this again falls flat as Russias defence budget is only around 6% of total GDP, for context US is around 3%.
So what is a war economy?
That would be Ukraine
2025 Defense Budget $53 Billion
2025 GDP Nominal Defence Spending 26%
2025 GDP PPP Defense Spending 6%
2025 Tax Revenue Defense Spending 686%
They mobilised all their reserves in 2022, their defence budget grew around ~700% post war and they are in deficit alone in tax revenue
They nationalised numerous companies so that they could utilise their resources for the war effort, including Motor Sich, Ukrtatnafta, Ukrnafta, ZTR and KrAZ.
There has been huge integration of the public into military production with countless "volunteers" requisitioned for factories to build military ordinance and we have seen numerous new facilities open for military production.
For taking up a huge chunk of the economy we have Ukraines defence budget which takes up a colossal OVER ONE THIRD of it's total GDP.
The massive military aid they have received which has been from NATO
Millions of artillery and rockets shells
Hundreds of millions of small arms bullets
Hundreds of cruise/ballistic missiles
~$100 billion in military logistical costs
~$50 billion of military equipment, Munitions and ammo
Nearly ~100k soldiers trained to NATO standards
Hundreds of thousands of logistical equipment
We also have NATO command and control systems that are utilised by Ukraine, AFU commanders coordinate battle plans with NATO and NATO country's military production especially relating to munitions and small arms ammunition has hit its limits.
This shows how much military production has been outsourced for Ukraine.
That's a war economy.
Yet according to brilliant western analysts Russia is a full war economy.
Here's another classic: the F-16 shooting down Su-34 myth.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1961869/Ukraine-f16-shoots-down-russia-jet
https://defence-blog.com/ukrainian-f-16-reportedly-shoots-down-second-russian-su-34/
The ONLY evidence of this comes from a random “military blogger” No evidence, no testimonials, no video footage and not a single war tracker has counted it, not Oryx, not LostArmour and not war Spotting for fuck sake even Wikipedia didn't include it, THAT'S how LITTLE evidence there is for this, it is literally just a random claim. Yet again multiple news organisations and military analysts felt it was credible enough to say it was true.
This same formula was repeated in 2025 when they claimed an F-16 shot down a Su-35S when it was a SAM.
Meanwhile when Russian media say that it was a Su-57 that took out a Su-27 or a F-16 getting shot down by S-400 or Su-35S proven by the fact that even Ukraine admitted to losing the aircraft in the air and SAMs in use have been proven to be used over Ukraine territory, this is just discounted as false but Literally just a made up rumour with no confirmation of any aircraft destroyed in air combat or F-16s in the area is enough.
Or how about in early 2024 when Ukraines Avdivka front was collapsing, Ukraine claimed they destroyed over a dozen Su-34s and Su-35Ss in a month.
https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-says-it-downed-over-dozen-russian-planes-this-month-2024-2
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-su-34-bombers-su-35-shot-down-ukraine-1870910
Yet AGAIN not a SINGLE tracker counted these, not Oryx, not LostArmour and not war Spotting and fuckinh AGAIN not Wikipedia. Yet AGAIN these media outlets just parrot what Ukraine says as fact. In fact the only evidence that exists is that a single Su-34 was destroyed. It is absolutely mind boggling how people believe this rubbish.
Here's an early classic, a teaser of the never ending bull shit spewed by Ukraine. They lied about breaching Russian military communication and killed General gerasimov. Obviously western media repeated this without question despite the fact there was absolutely no evidence.
Only for him to be seen again with no injuries. Funny enough Ukraine just forgot about it.
https://youtu.be/NUnL9OlVJK4?si=bjuh1uhx2hrtUewX
Let's go over the "Russia is running out of equipment" meme.
2022
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russia-running-out-of-precision-weapons/
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/08/31/7365546/
2023
https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-will-run-out-best-soldiers-says-top-ukraine-general-2023-9
2024
https://www.newsweek.com/satellite-data-russia-tank-losses-ukraine-war-1918313
2025
https://kyivindependent.com/russia-facing-equipment-shortages-media-reported/
https://www.newsweek.com/satellite-images-russian-losses-scale-2002135
It is LITERALLY the same nonsense repeated every god damn year, numerous articles say "Russia will be out by X or Y year" be it 2023, 2024, 2024 or God damn 2026.
The fact people fall for this nonsense is hilarious.
I mean literally the back and forward is crazy
Says Russia will run out of modern equipment by spring 2023
Russia will run out of money in 2024
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/02/russia-run-out-of-money-oleg-deripaska
https://m.jpost.com/international/article-733308
Russia won't make it to 2024
https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-will-run-out-arms-before-ukraine-uk-defense-minister-2022-10
Russia will run out of materials in 2025
https://fortune.com/2024/11/24/russian-war-economy-ukraine-peace-deal-vladimir-putin-donald-trump/
According to Ukrainian sources Russia has run out of Soviet equipment
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/07/17/7466120/
Then same Ukrainian sources say Russia can use soviet arsenal until 2027
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Russia will run out of weapons in April 2025
They're now saying 2026
ššš like the desperation and obvious BS is so hilarious and again the fact ANYONE falls for this is hilarious also.
How about this whopper.
https://news.online.ua/en/russia-is-sending-outdated-t-62-tanks-to-the-front-whats-happening-894744/
Says Russia is sending T-62s to front as a sign they are running out of equipment.
Yes you read that right. The same fucking articles that were from early 2022 just rehashed for 2025 (western media mock Russia in warly 2022 for using T62s) and what's sadder is it doesn't matter its just straight up BS, this won't stop the mindless NPCs from eating it up.
Let's not forget how western media mocked top cages calling it cope cages and ineffective
https://defence-blog.com/improved-armor-doesnt-work-on-russian-tanks/?amp
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russian-tankers-criticized-the-standoff-armor-on-their-tanks/
Only for them not only praise them when they helped Ukraine and start deploying them themselves
https://www.twz.com/land/ukrainian-leopard-1-tank-survived-a-dozen-drone-strikes-report
Now these groups are saying countries like China are taking note and taking lessons, apparently now it was Ukraine that invented this amazing solution to counter Drones.
This after mocking Russia for doing this at the start. These idiots have zero shame š«
start being copied worldwide
France Leclerc
Japan Type 10
ISRAEL Merkava
UKRAINE Challenger 2
Ukraine M1A1SA Abrams
Iran Type 72Z
Chinese type 96A and type 15
Indian Ajeya and Bhishma
Kazakhstan T-72
We hope this proves to you just how utterly laughable and untrustworthy the western media is regarding anything to do with Russia or Ukraine.
You can go as far back as MARCH 2022, fucking not even a month into the invasion, and media outlets and even think tanks were saying Russia is running out missiles, tanks, men, shells, guns etc.
https://www.newsweek.com/russian-troops-grapple-shortages-food-fuel-morale-ukraine-1683793
https://www.newsweek.com/russian-army-days-away-running-out-resources-military-experts-say-1688025
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-troops-battle-bakhmut-battalions-isw-1769895
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-war-putin-tanks-mod-update-aluminum-1756516
https://www.businessinsider.com/british-spy-chief-russia-run-out-of-steam-ukraine-2022-7
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/08/31/7365546/index.amp
https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/10/28/russia-runs-out-of-tanks-as-war-intensifies/
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-might-run-out-weapons-ammunition-end-year-report-1738702
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-war-putin-tanks-mod-update-aluminum-1756516
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thedefensepost.com/2022/09/08/russia-hypersonic-weapons-microchip/amp/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/25/ukraine-russia-balance-of-forces/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/08/31/7365546/index.amp
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/05/27/vladimir-putins-forces-running-tanks/
It's just nonsense propaganda, it's like people have forgotten what propaganda is and this war, WOW. The sheer stupidity that has been brought out from it is unbelievable (on both sides as well) there are some people so deluded god itself could tell them they are wrong and they'd call God a Russian propagandist. I mean there are literally articles going as far back as a few weeks after the war saying Russia is running out of equipment, literally every other few months the same recycled propaganda is released and brainless sheep gobble it up and both sides are guilty of this nonsense with western media saying Russia has run out of equipment for 56th time or russian media saying they have destroyed 700 abrams and 80 F-16s. It's hilarious how any grown adult could fall for such retardation.
The WORST offenders for pro Ukraine or anti Russia propaganda by military organisations are
Global Defense Corp
National Interest
Defence Express
Technology Org
Warrior Maven
Institute for study of war
War zone
Army Recognition
Times
RAND
Ukraine is notorious for this as well, worse than Russia. (This is stuff the Ukrainian government has said. Not media or state media opinions)
Claimed they destroyed 12 Su-34s and Su-35Ss in a month yet there is no evidence
claimed they destroyed a Su-34 and Su-35 with an F-16 yet again no evidence
Claimed that Russia only has 2-3 working A-50s despite they have over 20 and modernised 9 A-50Us not long ago, again no evidence for their claims
Claimed Russian soldiers use human waves yet in nearly 3 years of warfare they have yet to produce a single video showing it
Claimed they have shot down several Kinzhals and Zircons yet never provide any evidence and only showed wrecked missiles which could be a Tomahawk for all we know (based on how mangled they are)
Claimed Russia was purposely targeting food grain trucks yet the pictures they show (4 pictures from 3 different attacks) show trucks blown up but with empty cargo (meaning there was no grain and likely used for weapon transportation)
Claimed they have destroyed over 24k russian artillery guns or about 4k more than Russia had all together including storage
Claimed they hacked Russias secure Aqueduct-Azart C2 network again no evidence and said they killed 2nd top general again no evidence and he was seen not long after and again they just ignored it
Claimed they had destroyed over 1200 MLRS which is more than all Russian systems in use and reserve.
They make moronic claims like saying Russia loses on average ~1000 soldiers every day, for context Russia would have lost over 1 million men by now which is 400-300k more than Russia has ever had in Ukraine and is more than their own total casualty estimates, they can't even keep up with their own rubbish.
Claimed the S-70 shoot down was a friendly fire mistake when it was shot down by a Su-57 around ~10 km inside Ukraine Territory to prevent capture as it began malfunctioning after being on a regular mission that required stealth.
Claimed they have killed over 500k Russian soldiers or about ~90% of what they have to total in 2023-2024 not even including that there would be that many wounded added as well at least
They claimed an Admiral Grigorovich was badly damaged but when it was seen they claimed it was another ship
Claimed that two Ropucha Landing Ships were seriously damaged yet again no evidence and kept claiming it even after video evidence proved no damage.
In fact their made up naval hit claims are so notorious that even pro Ukraine Wikipedia (as of 11/24) has a section titled “unverified Ukrainian claims” on the naval losses page.
Claimed Russia blew up the dam in Dnepro yet they literally spoke about doing it earlier to the WSJ to sweep Russian minefields
Claimed the S-500 system was deployed to Crimea yet provided no evidence and yet again claimed that it failed to intercept ATACMS yet again no evidence.
Claimed they shot down a Tu-22MR yet it was nearly ~300 km away and the only system that is even remotely capable of that distance is S-200 which is a stationary system deployed around cities or west Ukraine.
Claimed that a Ukrainian pilot absolutely decimated Russian fighters early in war only for it to be exposed as lies, they switched to the “it was for morale” bull shit.
"Russia has lost countless men at an unsustainable rate"
This is just rubbish, firstly if we use proper sources (that are even unbiased and just have good methodology) like mediazona. The Russian army has lost around ~80,000 soldiers or ~120,000 if you count all other fighters (mercs, pro Russia ukrainians or foreign fighters) or ~200,000 if we want to be kindest.
For wounded we will use the 2:1 method so ~140,000 lowest to ~400,000 max.
So for this. We will work out the median for every km². So for a median Fatalities and unrecoverable wounded. So this will be ~320,000 all together for unrecoverable losses. So on average Russia captures ~3km² per loss. If this was a purely manoeuvre war with both sides utilising equal amount of equipment to capture all of Ukraine then it would cost Russia
~1.5m men
~2000 tanks
~1500 IFVs
~40 fighters
These numbers are wonky Aren't they? That's because they are overall averages. In reality war is not a static thing, for example the USSR captured more in 1944 than the total of 1941-1943, this is also a war of attrition, not only that different areas get captured at different times. For example the overall area taken per day is ~3 km² yet in October using the same methodology it was ~18 km² per unrecoverable loss. In February to March it was ~25 km² a day per unrecoverable loss and in April 2022 it was a whopping ~108 km² per unrecoverable loss.
So when you see propaganda groups using such methodologies, ignore them. This is a war of attrition. What they also ignore is that Ukraines casualties dwarf russian.
“Russia started using cope cages to deter against javelins”
This is a pure western fabrication. Not a single piece of evidence of this.
Russia did this because in 2021 the large-scale use of drones became known.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/30/army-pentagon-nagorno-karabakh-drones/
https://warontherocks.com/2021/08/the-militant-drone-playbook/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/20/how-drones-have-added-a-new-dynamic-to-conflicts
Russia has literally been using this top attack protection for years to protect against drones that drop HEAT warheads
http://blog.vantagepointnorth.net/2021/07/death-from-above-russian-ad-hoc-top.html?m=1
As seen here in Tajikistan in 2021
https://www.russiadefence.net/t5778p250-bmp-1-and-bmp-2-in-russian-army
"Russian hypersonics are trash and never work"
True modern hypersonic like Khizhals and zircon are too fast to even see most of the time as they travel at mach ~6+ a can maneuver at mid-course and terminal phases.
https://youtube.com/shorts/ctP1vCILNVk?si=jy2XZpVPsSv_5q3T
https://youtube.com/shorts/5V58345wm8Q?si=0hc5TDAy4Qfb4dg6
https://youtube.com/shorts/sgPr4Ressxo?si=k8n7hBesftDTu-Oz
https://youtu.be/amwrqCi1GCc?si=bSk-D4dtrTFHw0xy
There's zero evidence Ukraine has shot down any.
Bare with me because I'm about to show you the "evidence" Ukraine gives for khinzhal shoot downs.
First here is Khizhal
Next up.
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Normal “hypersonics” like Iskander or Kh-15 can be seen but are very fast, these travel at mach 4-5 and drop to mach 3 to 4 if maneuvering but need a ballistic trajectory.
https://youtube.com/shorts/rMqneYdl8oo?si=w5Y00wjnzE5kIfTO
https://youtube.com/shorts/RmaD5k6idTk?si=xNPZ9NQ-PqJ1AXcj
https://youtube.com/shorts/9ZvJKt5T0Ds?si=2XQHXTNJNTD44nfQ
https://youtube.com/shorts/VJhFJKoNzYM?si=5ec9CBak_Ykocug1
https://youtube.com/shorts/rMqneYdl8oo?si=ZTnOl-mC2d3QRhTr
https://youtube.com/shorts/9ZvJKt5T0Ds?si=-qzPQ7Ul3RPisXeX
Patriot failing to intercept both kinds
https://youtu.be/evZBejNtPUI?si=9zErFsLQuHQ_ZLPm
https://youtube.com/shorts/Ftg9Pky7Y-0?si=rHJB55FyWELOutST
https://youtu.be/AzhA_LSDil4?si=xHo8Wwlet8lPxYsR
Oreshnik
https://youtu.be/KrTNrGFFXvw?si=hZl1KxFwGtVy9gOR
"Russian air defence is bad"
Russian air defence in action
https://youtu.be/UaOvBDOVnHo?si=KV6vgHxkrtU6vYKm
https://youtu.be/FVQ1Rj7zTYQ?si=p94hOCIA1mR8PEuc
https://youtu.be/KC8lOjyl4o4?si=RGBPBGGC5x89QmaM
R-37M in action
https://youtu.be/ZxAGVMTtQb0?si=qGC-BkiIAQeU2deU
https://youtu.be/ZxAGVMTtQb0?si=qGC-BkiIAQeU2deU
Drones getting destroyed
https://youtu.be/qbVjHNQwpjM?si=EPdDKdyR3fiZjnJ7
https://youtu.be/pOffLVLHMfI?si=Ad__loQYLDuZP1MO
They talk about Russian systems failing to catch drones meanwhile
NASAMS-2
https://youtu.be/Shg2g1S9spM?si=WKtkjnCguVrwIqhC
https://youtu.be/mOgepkAZFAU?si=q9G4ljYqwWrYg8FN
IRIS-T
https://youtube.com/shorts/ylaEWyJiI-8?si=WCcC-qkQ0NdJ8l0S
"Pantsir gets destroyed lots because its bad"
It's the most common Russian SPAAG and has less destroyed than Ukraine 2K22. It has plenty of success.
https://youtube.com/shorts/sAi7yFk-4Ek?si=MW0-h0cOzR_jk7-d&utm_source=MTQxZ
https://youtu.be/24OUZEYkPvg?si=Kua2D_mulPdYhTTk
https://youtu.be/vTytBXxhW58?si=k7By12S5KajqCdNL
https://youtube.com/shorts/mIvhKBL5EPU?si=QtPfmz5vBaptK-47
https://youtu.be/G6nsc97IqVA?si=BhabZODqThkXex4E
https://youtu.be/2fdhma7HslY?si=Y1oANP7p1qAs7P87
https://youtube.com/shorts/rJH77GDIo3U?si=QeQT9EHnzcb-popv
https://youtube.com/shorts/lHu0foW19d0?si=AtOVN2meG-QiXhnn
https://youtu.be/G6nsc97IqVA?si=BhabZODqThkXex4E
Stealth missiles used
https://youtu.be/HzFcNB_47j0?si=9Gz-1ovCysazhFDB
https://youtube.com/shorts/Jege2wKpbLA?si=igqIW2tpuAbrXTEg
https://youtu.be/RH-NvKLrUvo?si=g9Qrt_tO0eKISdgD
https://youtube.com/shorts/amwrqCi1GCc?si=LIppLrQ14lYY1M3T
https://youtube.com/shorts/FkMZ0m4wYfI?si=eksp7FiBuaRxTk8E
“Russia uses human waves”
Literally zero evidence of this. This Video debunks it nicely.
https://youtu.be/2F4akL1AS5w?si=6oAjCL8QiTBlzUiV
"The sole export T-90MS was repainted and moved to the front"
The claim.
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/russia-sends-t-90ms-tank-from-exhibition-to-front-line/
The export model
Here is the Russian variant.
They claim they have just repainted it. (Obviously trying to imply that they are desperate for tanks)
Oblivious that these are new production variants.
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/new-batch-enhanced-t90m-russian-frontline-brigade
“Your T-72B3M and T-80BVM have been downgraded due to lack of thermal parts and advanced electronics due to sanctions from Western countries and Russia has severe shortages in equipment and supplies”
This one has been repeated A LOT. Now the argument is that the new T-72 and T-80 models have had to be downgraded because of no parts because apparently Russia can't build anything without the west and we have all seen the propaganda videos.
"Russia uses cardboard for ERA due to shortages"
"Russia uses bricks as armour because of material limitations"
"Russia is taking microchips from foreign washing machines because they can't produce them"
"Russia has to use older stuff because they are running out"
"Russia has to use cheap sights because they can't get good optics"
All fantasy and all complete and utter rubbish with no actual evidence.
1. Has no evidence this was real
2. Same as 1
3. Pure fantasy
4. No evidence and will be debunked here
5. We'll get into later
Now as we discussed in my Ukraine war essay, between 2022-2023 and in early 2024 the Russian army underwent a massive modernization campaign to get new tanks as they had used up a lot of older shit but still had huge stocks of T-72Bs, T-80Bs and T-62Ms.
So what to do ? They learned that utilising a bunch of old stuff like they usually do (like in Georgia or chechnya) wasn't going to cut it especially in 2023 when Ukraine had received thousands of armoured vehicles with hundreds of modern tanks and IFVs and they weren't willing to declare war and up the budget so it's just T-72B3s, T-80BVMs and T-90Ms that are made and upgraded but these are fully modern tank and expensive and more time consuming.
So they had a pretty good solution, a way to retrofit older reserve tanks extremely fast and for a very cheap price.
Introducing the mobilisation tanks.
T-72BM
T-80BM
T-62MV-22
These are T-72Bs, T-62Ms and T-80Bs upgraded with Kontakt-5, improved composite armour, R-168 radios, improved Digital Ballistic computers, vastly improved digitised fire control, laser rangefinders and a fully stabilised 1PN96MT-02 2nd gen thermals for the GPS
Now sure this is inferior to the T-72B3 and T-80BVM.
BUT… two issues,
These are mobilisation tanks not downgrades, they have nothing to do with B3 or BVM they are upgrades of B and M models from the 80s, they are comparable to what Ukraine has and are pretty capable. Yes they are not modern by today's standards, but they are more than capable when used in combination with more modern models as they have.
These are basically comparable to original M1A1 Abrams and Leopard 2A4 with better thermals, comms and computer.
They have
2nd Gen thermals
digital FCS
Full alloy APFSDS
Laser guided tandem GLATGM
Excellent armour
Incredibly cheap ($300k)
RP-377 ECM systems
fully digital radio system with FHSS
32x bit Digital Ballistic computer
Russia still builds the other models
In 2023 to 2025
T-72B3M Obr. 22
2025
T-80BVM Obr. 22
2025
T-90M
2025
https://youtube.com/shorts/rTn8Xj1i26c?si=ElHDAfBZAjvptcb3
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/new-batch-enhanced-t90m-russian-frontline-brigade
Over 300 T-90Ms built every year since 2023
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-tripled-production-t90m-keep-up-wartime-attrition
You can clearly see the PNM-U and PMN-T/PKP-K 2nd and 3rd Generation sights and atmospheric sensors showing there is no parts shortage.
There's also new additions to the T-72B3Ms and T-80BVMs Which add CCI displays with C2IS software linked to their YeESU-TZ C4I blue force tracking network with GLONASS-K integration, improved armour with more relikt and Kontakt-5 and added 4S24 ERA for sides and the addition of the TKN-3TP panoramic 2nd generation thermals for CPS.
To further illustrate just how laughable this claim is, let's go over all the advanced and sophisticated tech heavy equipment Russia has produced since early 2023 to 2025.
T-14 Armata
https://www.militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=562009&lang=RU
https://www.fontanka.ru/2024/03/04/73295120/
https://www.interfax.ru/russia/812466
https://tass.com/defense/1367015
As Well as the Kurganets-25 Hull being seen in production
https://defence-blog.com/russias-new-fighting-vehicle-spotted-at-assembly-line/?amp
TOS-2
BT-3F
https://www.military.africa/2023/09/army-2023-russia-unveils-all-new-kornet-armed-bt-3f-apc/
There was also the new TOS-3
https://www.twz.com/land/russias-new-tos-3-dragon-thermobaric-rocket-launcher-breaks-cover
Yak-130M
Krona-E
2S35
S-500
GLONASS-K2
https://www.russianspaceweb.com/glonass-k2-13l.html
Oreshnik
Su-75
ITO-NVSh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q65RgXT4pI
Zircon
Kh-69
https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/missiles/cruise-missiles/kh-69-h-69
Kh-BPLA
Mi-24PN-1M
There was also other air defence systems
Buk-M3
Pantsir-SM
Gibka-S
Not only that, they had several different IFV variants that have regular deliveries.
BMP-3M
https://defence-blog.com/russian-military-receives-additional-bmp-3-fighting-vehicles/
2025
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/02/07/russia-bmp-rostec/
https://share.google/J9iwbhas2CsLAo2B5
BMP-2M
https://defence-blog.com/russian-army-receives-new-batch-of-bmp-2m-fighting-vehicles/?amp
BMD-4M
2024
https://defence-blog.com/topics/bmd-4/
BMD-2M
2025
https://tass.com/defense/2015925
BMP-1AM
https://defence-blog.com/russian-army-receives-new-batch-of-bmp-1am-fighting-vehicles/
As well as various military equipment.
2S19M2
https://defence-blog.com/russian-army-receives-upgraded-msta-sm2-artillery-systems/
https://turdef.com/article/russian-army-receives-modernised-msta-s-spgs
2S43
2S41
https://defence-blog.com/russian-military-receives-initial-batch-of-new-self-propelled-mortars/
2S40
https://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2023/10/russia-deploys-new-2s40-phlox-120mm.html?m=1
Irbis
Ihttps://mil.in.ua/en/news/russia-receives-latest-irbis-radar/
Kornet-D
TOS-1A
https://dailywrap.uk/russia-ramps-up-delivery-of-upgraded-tos-1a-flamethrowers,7090418192139905a
Petrozavodsk & Yakutsk kilo-M attack subs (started construction in 2022)
https://dzen.ru/b/ZwjoTGVShg_UAkO9
https://tass.com/defense/1321251
Verba
These utilise various sophisticated electronics and modern materials.
We also had the following aircraft delivered
Su-57S
2023
https://defence-blog.com/russia-receives-additional-su-57-su-35-fighter-jets/
2024
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/recieves-su57-ambitious-acquisitions-target
2025
Su-35S
2025
https://youtube.com/shorts/ND9sgue3E-w?si=7JqdgjQFrTR-z3V0
Su-30SM2
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/su30sm2-new-engines-deliver
Su-34M
2025
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-doubled-su34-production
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/russia-adds-new-su-34-fighter-bombers-to-combat-aviation-fleet/
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/russia-received-the-fourth-batch-of-su-34-bombers-this-year/
MiG-31BM
Yak-130
MiG-29SMT
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/end-of-road-for-mig-35-russian-aerobatic/
Tu-160M2
https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/russia-flies-newbuild-tu-160m-bomber
https://www.key.aero/article/russia-marks-key-milestones-delivery-modernised-tu-160ms
https://www.defensemirror.com/news/36177/Production_Resumes_for_Modernized_Tu_160_Strategic_Bombers
Tu-22M3M
https://www.key.aero/article/russia-receives-another-upgraded-tu-22m3-bomber
Ka-52M
https://www.twz.com/enhanced-version-of-russias-ka-52-attack-helicopter-appears
2023
https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2023/10/02/russia-creates-winged-infantry-with-ka-52-mi-28-and-tanks/
Mi-28NM
2023v
IL-76MD-90A
https://www.key.aero/article/russia-receives-another-il-76md-90a-strategic-airlifter
IL-96
Tu-214
https://simpleflying.com/tupolev-tu-214-facts-list/
All of these utilise sophisticated modern electronics such as AESA radars, modern EW systems and radar absorbing materials.
Not only that but apparently things are so okay that Russia can export sophisticated systems.
Su-35E
2024
https://www.airdatanews.com/iran-receives-first-two-russian-sukhoi-su-35se-fighter-jets-report/
2025
https://www.twz.com/air/su-35s-once-expected-to-arm-iran-are-now-in-algeria
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/unknown-number-of-su-35-fighter-jets-delivered-to-algeria
Su-34ME
2025
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/export-russia-heaviest-fighter-su34m-algeria-nkorea
Yak-130
Su-30SM
2025
https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2024/08/26/new-batch-of-su-30s-delivered-to-kazakhstan/
Mi-35M
https://defence-industry.eu/russia-delivers-four-new-mi-35m-attack-helicopters-to-belarus/
2025
https://youtu.be/twzCCBN2I0g?si=o-tYqIGNaw5VUvaj
Mi-17V-5s
https://www.military.africa/2023/12/senegals-air-force-receives-new-mi-17-helicopter/
Tu-204
https://www.scramble.nl/civil-news/cubana-to-restart-tu-204-operations
Mi-28N
Igla-S
Iskander-M
Tor-M2E
S-400
https://thedefensepost.com/2024/10/08/india-russia-s400/
S-300PMU2
Repellent-1
https://apnews.com/article/serbia-russia-arms-deliveries-embargo-fb63352c3a76404f7f4f13dd0358b187
Zoopark-1M
Ansat
https://www.key.aero/article/zimbabwe-takes-delivery-18-russian-built-ansat-helicopters
Pantsir-SM-SV
So apparently Russia has to downgrade their tanks because there are no parts yet they can export all this advanced stuff and build even more advanced stuff for themselves.
You see how it's nonsense?
This one is honestly crazy because of how much it has been repeated by mainstream media outlets.
"Russia has faced substantial issues with armour, communications, logistics etc."
So ? It's war, obviously there will be issues, practically every war major NATO countries fought in had significant issues with C2, logistics, armour, equipment etc.
Iraq War
Communication and C2 problems
https://urgentcomm.com/land-mobile-radio/iraq-shows-army-radio-problems
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/jan/25/iraq.iraq
https://www.technologyreview.com/2004/11/01/232152/how-technology-failed-in-iraq/
Body armour supply issues
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/dec/05/iraq.usa
https://www.bodyarmornews.com/u-s-marines-still-seek-better-body-armor/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/many-iraq-bound-gis-buy-own-armor/
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/shortage-of-body-armor-plagues-troops-in-iraq/
https://www.foxnews.com/story/u-s-troops-in-iraq-have-limited-body-armor
Substandard body armour issues
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7795014
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/14/chilcot-debate-iraq-war-commons-uk-forces
Lack of armoured vehicles
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1516482/Iraq-death-highlights-lack-of-armoured-vehicles.html
https://www.latimes.com/la-guard-armor17dec17-storygallery.html
https://publicintegrity.org/politics/lack-of-armored-protection-for-troops/
https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2004-12-09-voa68-67486057/386529.html
general equipment issues
https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2020/09/this-soldiers-witness-to-the-iraq-war-lie?lang=en
https://www.army-technology.com/features/featurethe-us-armys-armoured-vehicle-conundrum-4369690/
Vietnam war
C2 and communication problems
https://www.historynet.com/nva-radio-communications/
Tank issues
Small arms issues
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/01/gun-trouble/383508/
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/02/the-m16s-darkest-days-how-the-rifle-failed-soldiers-in-vietnam/
Logistics issues
https://amcmuseum.org/history/airlift-during-the-vietnam-war/
https://www.historynet.com/two-million-miles-bad-road/
Aircraft issues
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0494hollow/
Falklands war
Logistics
Gulf war
Engineering equipment issues
Combat Equipment issues
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2165720.stm
Communication and C2 issues
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-03-24-mn-1379-story.html
Serbian war
General equipment and tactics issues
https://www.jstor.org/stable/20049444
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB75.html
C2 and communication issues
"Your T-90M was destroyed by a Bradley"
This one is fucking hilarious because of how wrong it is. Now let's go over what happened.
Two Bradleys engaged a malfunctioning T-90M.
How was it malfunctioning?
It didn't engage the targets despite having superior thermals and a CITV that wasn't getting hit, it never tried to flee, didn't deploy countermeasures and of course the turret started spinning well after the Bradleys left.
They shot at the T-90M then left. T-90M was completely unharmed
After the Bradleys left, the T90 completely unharmed drove into a tree at which point all the crew escaped then it was disabled by drones.
“Russian military is too corrupt”
My guys, all militaries have corruption.
Case in point, the USA.
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/corruption.htm
https://fas.org/publication/defense-contracting-fraud/
https://www.whistleblowersinternational.com/types-of-fraud/defense-contractor-military/
"Your CRAMs don't work because the moskva got sunk"
The air defence system was turned off and again Neptunes fly low, low enough to not trigger the Moskvas warning radars, they are modern missiles, it's called tactics, Americans mock this but they literally lost an Arleigh Burke destroyer to god damn Al Qaeda, Ukraine might have a tiny navy but at least they had a navy and god dam military.
And I love how they act like it getting hit proves something.
"It's radars we're turned off because they interfered with comms"
Literally made up fantasy with no evidence whatsoever.
Unless engaged in active combat ships air defence including their radars are usually turned off. the f18e shot down in 2024 further proves this.
examples include
During the Iran war, two Iraqi Mirage F1EQs fired two exocet missiles at an Oliver Hazard Perry class the USS Stark with both finding their mark with the Phalanx failing to engage them and the decoy Launchers and ECM systems failing as well. Only one detonated and luckily it didn't hit ammunition.
Same war again this time fast attack craft sunk with P-15s and others the Paykan and Joshan armed with L/70 radar guided anti aircraft guns getting destroyed.
During the Falklands war a county class Air defence ship with both point and area defence SAMs the HMS Glamorgan got hit with an exocet ASM.
During the Falklands war 2× Type 42 guided missile destroyers were sunk by anti-ship missiles that were protected by a two tier system with SAMs, decoys and EW systems yet didn't engage.
The Sa'ar 5 class Air defence Corvette the INS Hanit armed with point defence SAMs, C-RAMs, decoys and ECMs was hit by a YJ-83.
"Your S-300PM2 and S-400 misfired and blew itself up"
So ? Shit happens. Your so called aDvAncEd David's Sling or THAAD and Arrow did the same
https://youtube.com/shorts/GCdNfD0rrpk?si=46h4Zv5uTk_7ZcyX
https://youtube.com/shorts/-JK6u2xGKjY?si=m76fxSay_c97gw6r
“Russian using motorbikes and open top vehicles for combat and logistics shows desperation”
No it just shows you have no fucking clue how military tactics work.
US, UK, France and Japan
In gulf war
Iraq and Afghanistan
Vietnam
For combat these allow infantry and assault squads to move rapidly whilst for logistics they give Similar Manoeuvrability along with in Ukraine especially Drones are a huge threat which us why many small scale logistics (ammo boxes, fuel, MREs etc) are done using bikes or open top vehicles, open tops are incredibly common so that passenger gunner can shoot down Drones with shotgun or EW gun.
Thus is backed up by the numerous videos of large trucks or vehicles that love between fortifications getting hit by Drones.
Regardless, again very commonly used by major modern militaries to this day.
https://www.military.com/off-duty/autos/shoot-and-scoot-guide-us-militarys-combat-motorcycles.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/28/us/stealth-military-motorcycle/index.html
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/military-motorbikes-us-has-long-struggled-them-174884
“Russia using electric bikes and scooters shows desperation”
No it just shows yet again you don't do any research.
https://electrek.co/2020/07/27/ubco-2x2-all-wheel-drive-electric-motorcycles-military-duty-nzdf/
https://thedefensepost.com/2023/07/20/british-army-bikes-enemies/
Numerous militaries trial such things to be used for stealth missions due to low noise.
What's hilarious because Ukraine received praise when they do it
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/26/ukraine-russia-war-electric-bikes-weapons/
You notice that A LOT. When Russia does it “lol cringe” when Ukraine does it “amazing”
“Russia using normal cars and lightly armoured vehicles shows Desperation”
Same as last one. You dont know what you're talking about.
US and UK in Iraq.
These are very common in warfare especially for patrol or assaults against light fortifications.
“Russian soldiers riding on tanks or IFVs shows desperation or lack of vehicles”
Lack of vehicles? That makes no sense as troops Riding on tanks and eventually IFVs has existed since WWII and Russia did it at the start.
It's a common tactic.
Report
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D3OF9IvtHLk&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD
Also seen by other militaries
“Russia resorting to use improvised vehicles and weapons shows desperation”
Yet AGAIN you don't understand military analysis.
Vietnam war
https://www.sandboxx.us/news/ingenious-and-effective-improvised-weapons-created-by-us-troops/
Yugoslavia
Ukrainians in Ukraine
Afghanistan and Iraq
Literally common to every single major war as each war is different depending on terrain and environment.
Used by soviets
"Russian soldiers are using civilian walkie talkies"
So ? The USA uses ICOMs and Ukraine and Portugal also use baofeng.
https://x.com/Defence360/status/1224301607887818753?lang=ar
https://icomuk.co.uk/US-Marines-choose-ICOM-for-new-communications/2/1275/
Also need to remember nearly half the force in Ukraine is not proper Russian army.
"Russian drone operators are killing Ukrainian soldiers mercilessly"
My guy, this is a war, both sides are doing it. Sometimes both sides will help the other depending on the operator and area or what their CO says.
Example Russian drone helping Ukrainian soldier
https://youtube.com/shorts/ERpYDH6SWlo?si=rIdE1lWMT6yZWABI
“Russian IFVs blow up whilst Bradley can't”
https://youtu.be/NI9wbm-oDRE?si=VJf116IPk5nHlO3P
Rubbish.
"Russian soldiers don't have any combat gear"
The amount of times this has been said is laughable, Russia has had combat gear like body armour in use since Afghanistan, chechyna and Georgia.
Western soldiers 80-90s
Soviet
R-163, R-158 and R-159 digital radios with encryption and basic FHSS for Infantry
LPR-1 laser designator.
These are comparable to the US AN/PEQ-1A
For the soviet command and control systems we had
Communication Troops of the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union who oversaw the soviet C3 networks
Intersputnik System that used the Gorizont satellites for communication service
GLONASS GNSS that utilised the Uragan satellites
Vertushka secure telephone system
vehicles like R–142, R–145 and R-1440 for C3 purposes
NDCC military command centre with the Elbrus 3-1 INC supercomputer
Uragan-5B C2 air defence network linked to TKS-2, Biryusa, APD-518 and Lazour-SM data links
Oko early warning satellites
Molniya 3 communication satellites
Tselina, Yantar-4KS1, Zenit 6U and Zenit 8 reconnaissance satellites
This was comparable to the US WWMCCS and NMCC and US M577A3.
We had the R-440 portable SATCOMS.
Comparable to (although less advanced) to the US AN/PSN-11.
We had the Tsiklon global navigation system that utilised the Parus satellites. These were comparable to the Omega and Transit systems.
These gave military accuracy of <10-20m
We had the Legenda satellite targeting system with accuracy of <10-20m and resolutions of one pixel per ~20-30cm.
5.45×39mm assault rifle with standard add ons being 1P29 illumination sight, PSO-1 telescopic sights, PK-A red dot sight and 1PN51 2nd Generation night vision scope.
This is comparable to the US M16A2 that utilised M855 hardened steel rounds and AN/PVS-5 2nd Gen NV scope.
We have the Makarov and Stechkin standard issue sidearms.
Comparable to US M9 and M45
We had the SVD-90, SVD and Vintorez Marksman rifles with the PSO-1 series standard scopes.
The Infantry marksmen use the 57-N-323S anti Infantry round and the 7N13 round for AP.
Comparable to M40A1
We had the Mosin Nagant sniper rifle.
These are comparable to the US SR-25 and M24 although much less modern and capable
We had the V-94 anti material rifle.
We had the PKM and RPK-74 standard issue light machine guns with the standard 1P29 illumination sight.
These are comparable to the US M240 and M249 SAW
We had the NSV heavy machine gun. This was a better more modern system than M2 at the time.
We also had the DShK in limited use, this was comparable to the M2
The M2 Browning
We had the KS-23 shotgun
Comparable to the US Mosberg 500 and Model 870
We had the AKS-74U and VAL carbines with the standard PK-AS red dot sight.
That is comparable to the MP5 and M635
We had the APS and SPP-1M Amphibious rifle and sidearm for soviet naval special forces.
We had the 6X5 modern bayonet.
This was comparable to the US M9
We had the D-5 parachutes.
We had the DP-64 grenade Launchers.
These are comparable to China Lake and M79.
We had the RGA-86, GP-25 and GP-30 and under barrel grenade Launchers these are comparable to M203
M203
We had the AGS-17 automatic grenade Launchers that was comparable to the Mk 19.
Mk 19
We had the MON-100, MON-200, TM-62 and TM-72 mines.
We had the RDG-2 grenade.
These are comparable to US M67.
7N6 infantry round
7N10 hardened AP rounds
We have the Igla 3rd Generation manpad of which there were over 60,000.
This utilises the 9K38 launcher with a digital processor and solid state electronics with the 9M313–1 missile with the 9E410 Rossett scanning seeker and the 1PN35 2nd Gen night vision scope.
These were comparable to Stinger B/C systems.
We have their modern ATGMs of which there was over 200,000 with Fagot-M1, Konkurs-M and Metis.
These utilise telescopic optical sights the 9M111M and 9M113M tandem warheads.
These are comparable to the TOW-2 systems and Dragon systems although with inferior NV.
The Konkurs-M, Kornet and Metis-M Used 1st Generation thermal sights which are comparable to above.
We had the modern manpats with the RPG-7DN1, RPG-22, RPG-26, RPG-27 and RPG-29 of which there were over ~1,000,000.
These are comparable to AT4 and SMAW.
Russian modernization in 90s
6B23 ballistic vest
6B7 ballistic helmet
7N24 tungsten plug AP round
7N22 enhanced pen Infantry round
We will go over what Russian active service use now soon which is called the RATNIK.
"Russia can't supply their troops with radios"
Utter nonsense, the standard radios used by Russian forces are R-187s and R-168s, during the ratnik communication modernization they are in process of roll out to all Russian active service with major roll outs starting in 2017.
The only ones that will use older radios like R-163 and R-158 are Mercenaries, foreign fighters and the Ukrainian separatist forces, many of these will also utilise foreign radios.
You need to remember that out of the ~1m total deployed to Ukraine, only ~600k were actually from the Russian army, the rest are foreign fighters, mercenaries, Ukrainian separatists and other volunteers.
Right now there is around ~500k Russian military in Ukraine and around ~200k foreign fighters, Mercenaries, Ukrainian separatists and other volunteers.
So you're going to have A LOT of soldiers using non issue equipment like consumer radios, older rifles, older body armour or older combat gear.
You also need to remember that only squad leaders, commanders or signal troops carry the R-187, for short range communications between For example spotters and indirect fire operators this will usually be done by just walkie talkies
Again this is not unique to Russia as various such groups in various conflicts are like this. In the war in Iraq there were over 100k contractors with a similar number in Afghanistan, in fact in Afghanistan there were more contractors and foreign military than regular coalition military.
And remember communication modernization takes time and there are always issues just ask the US
https://www.wired.com/2012/08/army-radio-garble/
And again various such US troops used commercial walkie talkies like ICOMs.
“Russia making mass use of mercs shows desperation”
……
“The fact you have to use add on armour show how desperate you are”
No, all this does is show unbelievably ignorant you are about military analysis. These kinds of armour have been used since world war one and used from Korea to Vietnam to Iraq to Ukraine.
"Russian equipment uses foreign parts"
I love how they say this as if it proves anything. All militaries use different countries' parts and equipment. The M2 Bradley is built by British BAE systems. The M1A2 Abrams SepV4 uses Israeli trophy hard kill APS. US fighter jets use British Martin Baker Ejection seats. US night vision devices use thales optics and matrices, US fighter jets and attack helicopters use the Norwegian Joint strike missile, the Canadian CRV7 rockets, British APKWS rocket kit, AN/ALE-45 chaff launchers and AN/APX-76 IFF systems.
In fact British BAE builds many of the US military's electronic parts and hardware. These include
Seekers for missiles such as those found on Patriot and THAAD.
Electronic warfare components such as those found on EA-18G, EC-130J and RC-12X
Electronics for aircraft and vehicles such as RWR, fly by wire flight controls, radio systems, display screens, radar displays etc. For M2 Bradley, M1 Abrams, F-35, F-16, F-15 etc.
The brand new M10 Booker uses French optics. The AH-1Z uses French optics
Bradley uses French and Italian optics.
So when people mock Russia for their equipment utilising Chinese or foreign parts they are just admitting that they don't understand military analysis. Russian equipment pre 2014 will have lots of foreign parts inside them.
This also just shows a general ignorance around how manufacturing works. People don't know what indigenous means.
We'll give two examples.
1st
TIS gunners sight for the M1 Abrams which uses an indigenous thermal imaging matrix.
PNM-T gunners sight which uses an indigenous Ibris-K thermal imaging sight.
2nd
IBAS gunners sight for the M2A3 Bradley and M1A2 Abrams SepV1 which uses Italian licenced SADA II thermal imaging matrix.
ESSA gunners sight for T-90A which uses French licensed Catherine-FC thermal imaging matrix.
In both examples they will utilise foreign components, from foreign built semiconductors to foreign built microprocessors. This is incredibly common and part of globalisation and it's not because they can't build those parts rather it's cheaper to build them abroad.
So when you see someone mock Russia because their equipment uses foreign parts, laugh at them.
“Russian soldiers are using old equipment”
Groups like IISS claim Russia has yet to modernization its forces.
Laugable
Nope. We'll go over what exactly the Russian army uses for their Infantry soon. This problem comes from people confusing Russian regulars and DPR soldiers, Wagner and other foreign fighters or mercs.
Now it's true after the collapse of the USSR by 2000, Russia fell behind significantly (they had no modern NVGs for helmets, no thermal scopes, no modern wide use comm system, no integrated C2IS system, still used older rifles with older optics, 1980s Infantry radios, old decaying GNSS etc.) but during the military modernization started in late 2008 they implemented the Ratnik program that estarted in 2009 and ended in 2020 and brought their active service Infantry gear up to modern standards (1.3m men). But from the 70-80s the USSR was absolutely a modern military.
Then we had the GPV 2016-2025 program that aimed to bring russias air, land a sea forces up to modern standards in the same way the ratnik program was for the Infantry.
This was done for the naval forces in the 2010s with the construction of Gorshkovs, Gremyashchiy and Grigorovich Warships and the Yasen-M and improved boeri vessels in combination with a massive modernization campaign for the older soviet fleet.
This was done for the air force in the same time frame with the vast majority of Su-27s, MiG-29s, Su-30s and Su-34s upgraded into Su-27SM, Su-30SM and MiG-29SMT and the new build MiG-29K, Su-34, Su-35S, Su-57 and MiG-35
This was done for the ground forces with the majority of active service T-80s, T-72s, T-90s, BTR-80s, BMP-1s, BMP-2s, BMP-3s, BMD-2s, 2S19s, 2S3s, S-300Vs, Buks etc into T-80BVM, T-72B3, T-72B3M, T-90M, BMP-1AM, BMP-2M, BMP-3M, BMD-2M, BTR-82A, 2S19M2, 2S3M2, S-300V4, Buk-M3 and New build Typhoon and Tigr APCs, 2S35, 2S40, 2S19M2, BMP-3 Variants, BTR-82AT, T-90Ms and T-14s
We have the Permyachka, Barmitsa and Cowboy standard Infantry loadout with the 6B15 ballistic vest rated against standard 7.62×39mm API.
These are comparable to the US IOTV part of the SPCS.
Side by side of Permyachka vs SPCS.
This will be replaced by the Strelok kit which will use the 6B46 vest and improved helmet and kit.
Comparable to US MSV with IHPS helmet and SPCS armour.
Russian future soldier program Ratnik-3.
which is comparable to IVAS.
We have the 6B47 combat Helmet that is used for regular Infantry with the standard 1PN138 NVG mount with 4th Gen cathodes or 1PN139 2nd Gen Thermals and the PMK-4 gas mask. These are comparable to the ACH helmet. These are equal to US AN/PVS-14 and AN/PSQ-20
Comparable to US AHS.
We have the D-6 and D-10 parachutes.
We have the modern rifles made up of AK-74M and AK-12 with standard loadouts being.
NPZ and BP02 rail attachments
Perst-4/3 laser rangefinder
Klesch-2P tactical flashlight
PO417 and PSO-1M2-1 telescopic sights
1P78-1 and 1P88 illumination sights
1P87 & PK120 holographic sights
1P63 & 1P76 reflex sights
1PN140-2 & Kasatka 2nd Gen thermal
1PN121 4th Gen Night Vision scope
7N10 hardened steel FMJ rounds for standard Infantry FMJ rounds
7N39 tungsten FMJ as standard AP rounds for Infantry
These are comparable to the M27, M4A1, SCAR and HK416 that uses the M855A1 hardened steel rounds for standard Infantry and the M995 tungsten rounds for AP and the AN/PEQ-15 and AN/PEQ-16 laser sights and the AN/PAS-13 2nd gen thermal scope.
This will be replaced by the KORD 6P67 and AK-12 which will utilise the 1P86-1 digital sights and integrated suppressrs
These are comparable to the US XM7.
We have the MP-443 or GSh-18 as the standard Infantry sidearm.
Comparable to US Glock 17.
The Udav and PL-15 will replace the handguns.
these are comparable to the M17.
We have the RMb-93, Saiga-12 and Vepr-12 shotguns.
that is comparable to the M1014.
We have the SR-3 Vikhr, ShAK-12, AK-9, PP-19-01 Vityaz, OTs-14 Groza and AKS-74UM for carbines and SMGs.
These are comparable to the US APC and MPX.
We have the ADS modern Amphibious rifle for Russian frogmen.
We have the RPK-74M and PKP Pecheneg as standard issue machine guns that make use of 3rd Gen NV scopes.
These are comparable to Mk 46 and Mk 48.
The RPK-16 and RPL-20 will replace the RPK-74M and PKP as the standard Infantry machine gun.
Comparable to XM250.
We have the NSV and Kord as the standard use of heavy machine guns.
The heavy Machine guns utilise the BS API rounds.
These are comparable to the M2A1.
We have the Lobaev series, OSV-96, SV-98, VKS, SVDM, SVDK and ASVK sniper rifles used as standard that make use of 3rd Gen NV and 2nd Gen thermal scopes and the standard 1P12, 1P69, 1P88, 1P97 and PSO-1M2-1 variable telescopic sights
The Infantry snipers use the 7N1 anti Infantry round and the 7BZ3 round for AP.
The anti material snipers use the 12.7SN for use against APCs and lightly armoured vehicles.
These are comparable to the M40A6, M107A1, M82A3, M110, M2010, MK 1 ESR, Mk 14 EBR, Mk 20 SSR, Mk 21 PSR and M39.
The T-5000, SV-98M and SVCh with digital sights will be replacing them.
These are comparable to the M110A1 and MRAD.
We have the RGS-50M, GM-94, RG-6 and RGM-40 grenade Launchers.
These are comparable to the US MK 13 EGLM
We have the AGS-30 and AGS-40 automatic grenade Launchers.
These are comparable to the Mk 19 Mod 4.
We have the TM-89 and TM-83 modern mines.
We have the RDG-U anti infrared smoke grenades.
These are comparable to M18.
We have the GPU-34 and GPU-45
These are comparable to the M203A2 and M320.
Lists
Infantry Load out
As standard
AK-74M 3rd Generation Assault Rifle
AK-12 4th Generation Assault Rifle
RPK-74M 3rd Generation LMG
PKP Pecheneg 3rd Generation LMG
Kord 4th Generation HMG
NSV 2nd Generation HMG
OSV-96 3rd Generation Anti Material Rifle
ASVK 3rd Generation Anti Material Rifle
Lobaev 3rd Generation Marksman Rifle
SV-98 3rd Generation Marksman Rifle
VKS 3rd Generation Marksman Rifle
SVDM 3rd Generation Marksman Rifle
SVDK 3rd Generation Marksman Rifle
RGM-40 2nd Generation Grenade Launcher
RGS-50M 2nd Generation Grenade Launcher
GM-94 2nd Generation Grenade Launcher
AGS-30 2nd Generation Automatic Grenade Launcher
AGS-40 2nd Generation Automatic Grenade Launcher
Future or in process
AK-22 4th Generation Assault Rifle
RPL-20 4th Generation LMG
RPK-16 4th Generation LMG
T-5000 3rd Generation Anti Material Rifle
SV-98M 4th Generation Marksman Rifle
SVCh 4th Generation Marksman Rifle
Gun Accessories
As standard
NPZ and BP02 rail attachments
Perst-4/3 laser rangefinder
Klesch-2P tactical flashlight
PO417, 1P12, 1P69, 1P97 and PSO-1M2-1 variable telescopic sights
1P78-1 and 1P88 illumination sights
1P87 & PK120 holographic sights
1P63 & 1P76 reflex sights
1PN121 4th Generation night vision scope
1PN106 3rd Generation night vision scope
1PN110 3rd Generation night vision scope
1PN113 3rd Generation night vision scope
1PN114 3rd Generation night vision scope
1PN119 3rd Generation night vision scope
1PN141 2nd Generation thermal scope
1PN143 2nd Generation thermal scope
1PN142 2nd Generation thermal scope
1PN141 2nd Generation thermal scope
7N10 hardened steel FMJ rounds for standard Infantry AR FMJ rounds
7N39 tungsten FMJ as standard AP rounds for Infantry ARs
Combat Equipment Level: 3rd Generation
As standard
1PN139 2nd Generation thermal goggles
1PN138 4th Generation NVGs
R-187-P1 and R-168-05U C3I handheld radio
R-610-1 and R-187BV C3I manpack radio
R-168 and R-187V C3I vehicle radio
R-163 C3 manpack radio
R-173 C3 vehicle radio
R-158 C3 manpack radio
UPKT tablets utilising the Strelets C2IS systems for squad commanders
NPI-2, Breeze-KM-RV, Orion and Perunit-B global navigation equipment
Permyachka, Barmitsa and Cowboy standard Infantry combat gear
6B15 ballistic vest rated against standard 7.62×39mm HS-API
6B47 combat Helmet with mounts for 1PN138 4th Gen NVGs and 1PN139 2nd Gen Thermals
LPR-3 and LPR-4 eye safe stabilised Portable laser designators
Sosna-N, Ironiya and Murom-P, Ironiya-M and Intrigan Electro optical targeting systems
R-100, R-200, R-300, R-400, P-200 and P-300 series portable SATCOMs
Aistyonok and Sobolyatnik-O 2nd Generation portable counter batteries
Fara-VR and Kredo-M1 3rd Generation portable radars
Future or in process
ITO-NVSh panoramic 4th Generation NVGs
Strelok standard Infantry loadout
Ratnik-3 Infantry combat gear
6B46 ballistic vest rated against 5.45×39mm HS-API
AZART-2 C3I handheld radio
Military C2 Network level: 2nd Generation
MTSS nationwide Internet communications which gives the Russian Federation their own complete nationwide Internet service
Intersputnik satellite communication service utilising the more advanced Helikon, Gradient-N and Meridian communication satellites
TCS-2M and OSNOD Military wide data link
Signal communications troops and the information operations troops who oversee Russian C4 and cyber warfare systems
Era mobile cryptophones for top secret communications in the field
Kavkaz ATS-1 cryptophones for top secret communications between high ranking officials
GLONASS-K1 modern GNSS with military accuracy of <1m
Various Mobile SATCOMS like P-234PMB, Redut-2US and R-419L1
ESUTZ C4ISR network
C4IS and C5IS mobile command hubs that are made up of vehicles like R-149AKSh, MPPU and 1B110
National defence management centre central military command hub for coordinating all military operations
NDMC supercomputers that oversee all of Russia's military operations
EKS early warning satellites
Liana satellite targeting system
Persona and Resurs-P reconnaissance satellites with resolutions of one pixel per <20cm
Russian army regulars
Russia has also started the prototype staging of their next generation of assault rifles with the AK-22 chambered for 6.02×41mm with both high pen steel rounds for standard Infantry and tungsten rounds for AP along with the 1PG40 digital fire control optic with built in ballistic computer connected to a laser rangefinder.
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/russian-smart-scope-system-their-answer-to-the-xm157-44819620
"Russian soldiers have no optics"
Again nonsense and just shows you don't understand military analysis.
Only designated marksmen, snipers, and special forces units are routinely issued high-quality optics, while standard infantry soldiers usually rely on iron sights or basic illum, holo or reflex, depending on their specific mission and unit needs they will be issued higher quality optics.
Below russian soldiers in Ukraine with optics
Russian spec ops eith higher quality optics and NVGs
https://youtube.com/shorts/oEh3P-JkKbU?si=GgccMJtfWkaqcaVH
https://youtube.com/shorts/EzLefd9bbUQ?si=8gjjgItczmvq85_K
https://youtube.com/shorts/UgCyVDUIgaY?si=6nrvTnQ8l6dGVD_D
https://youtube.com/shorts/kPC8fIGdJ8w?si=YHK9IE_m-D1dAV1J
https://youtube.com/shorts/yjK6WwpbHwc?si=i-oQkKt54Draa6yO
https://youtube.com/shorts/qn8BMakUkSw?si=qM0bcbO1OHxaTvi4
https://youtube.com/shorts/EWxRXyiNyTM?si=R7oVc107fjOdHdU8
Again this is true of all militaries be it the US, Russia, Britain or Israel. Russian army Infantry regulars are given either an AK-74M with a basic 1P87, 1P78-1 or 1P63 illumination, holographic or reflex scope as standard or an AK-12 with a basic 1P76, 1P88 or PK120 illumination, holographic or reflex scope as standard, this can be seen on numerous soldiers and as part of their standard kit. Many just prefer iron sights, same as western militaries despite being issued optivs.
Western soldier regulars in 2000-2010s campaigns and battles using no optics
Another thing not mentioned is how many foreign fighters and mercs there are and how people confuse them for Russian military.
Wagner, DPR and others.
As explained with Russia using up old equipment by giving it to others. This is not unique to Russia.
ARVN soldiers using Springfields, Garands and Thompsons in the Vietnam war.
US, ANSF and Iraqi soldiers using M14s and M16s during the Afghanistan and Iraq Insurgency wars.
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2001536814/
ARVN using Shermans, M48s and M41s during the Vietnam war.
Russia also has several autonomous regions with different variations on their military
Such as the chechens and dagestanis
"Russia using trenches shows how old their tactics are"
Trench warfare has been part of modern defensive warfare for centuries.
Korean war
Vietnam war
Iran war
Gulf war
Iraq war
Ukraine also uses trenches. People confuse WWI style trenches warfare and normal Trench warfare which is a crucial part of defensive warfare.
"Russia resorting to using T-54s and T-62s is pure desperation"
Idiot argument. Again these vehicles have been seen since early 2022, T-54/55s and original model T-62s are used as indirect fire vehicles not MBTs.
https://www.twz.com/signs-point-to-russia-sending-ancient-t-54-series-of-tanks-to-ukraine
Which is why practically all are seen in or next to treelines.
Again it's about using up old stuff.
“Russian body armour has had many failures and problems”
So ? Short memory ?
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/feb/01/iraq-inquiry-body-armour
It's war, things go wrong.
"Russian soldiers were seen using donkeys which shows how they have lost so many vehicles"
Eh no ? Literally only TWO soldiers were seen on mules. Proves nothing. Not only is using mules animals incredibly common in areas where vehicles are tough to get to or where stealth is needed but numerous modern militaries actually train for it.
https://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/amphtml/USA/Military/2009/0504/p22s01-usmi.html
https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/the-virtues-of-stubbornness-mules-at-war/
Here they are actually being used.
Even in combat roles
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/horseback-army-guide/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22951548
"Russian soldiers grouping together on back of trucks shows how desperate they are and don't have enough vehicles"
Wrong again.
Coalition in Iraq
“Russian conscripts have no training”
Firstly Russia hasn't conscripted anyone. In 2022 there was a partial mobilisation of around 300k from the BARS (akin to National Guard in USA and Territorial Army in UK) and army reserves. all reservists deployed to the front receive the basic 5 week training, (this is why even though mobilisation was passed in the duma in Sept 2022 it wasn't until early 2023 we seen large scale deployments) although it will depend as many reservists already had military experience in Syria, Chechnya or Georgia.
These reservists receive the same training and utilise the same equipment as the Russian active service.
“IISS says Russia only has 600k active service showing how they have lost over a 700k men”
Firstly IISS is a propaganda institution, like all military think tanks. Secondly they are obviously just parroting what Russia has said, in that there are around 600k deployed to Ukraine. Deployed means how many are in a region, for example the US had an army of over 1 million yet only had around ~500k deployed to Afghanistan. Much of Russia's active service is still in Russia, we seen this when the videos of large portions military units were forming around Moscow during wagner's 24h rebellion or during the many military parades all across Russia or during Ukraines push into kursk when it was slowed within days and halted within a week (halted from major pushes)
“russian R-187 and R-168 radios have been jammed”
No evidence of this whatsoever. Donbass fighters who use R-158 and R-159 systems could have intercepted as whilst they use data encryption there is no frequency hopping whilst donbass fighters that used R-109M or R-129 radios could be intercept as the R-109M has no encryption and 129 is very poor.
“Your SAM systems have failed to intercept NATO missiles”
So ? Your Patriot system got defeated by Iraqi knock off scuds, your advanced PAC-3 regularly fails to intercept Russian missiles and glide bombs, your advanced David's Sling and iron dome got breached by ancient Iranian surplus missiles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Husayn_%28missile%29?wprov=sfla1
https://youtube.com/shorts/iZqiL4KsLuY?si=GuB4FySIsGncNYpB
https://youtu.be/x475khqjxNk?si=xcxQdeJXC0alPe0z
https://youtube.com/shorts/uIB28MBDujw?si=lR7_7i3PNY308ELi
https://youtu.be/sZhyeUa8pF4?si=Nnmbr5PGGVrISTkm
Patriot firing all 4 missiles only hitting one target and still getting destroyed
Again this is just proving you don't understand military analysis because NO SAM system is full Proof, the fact that Ukraine fires missiles and drones at Russia every day and we only hear of hits now and then proves how effective they are. just like vice versa.
“Your SAM systems are 80s level technology”
Laughable
Tor and buk old versions
New versions
https://youtube.com/shorts/ZZMnAZqjZX0?si=YGw9O8WjyDaWWgqn
“BMPT has failed as it hasn't been seen since 2023”
Wrong was seen in late 2024 and early 2025
https://youtube.com/shorts/0taIzxHanro?si=lwjFl58CF6xrPbl7
"Russia doesn't fight at night in Ukraine, this shows a lack of even basic night fighting abilities"
Firstly this is just false, Russia has launched numerous operations at night from Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Vulehdar or more recently Russia striked Ukraines fleeing vesyla novosilka at night.
The whole point of night fighting is that it's meant to be an advantage, for example facing Iraq who had little to no aerial, vehicular or Infantry night fighting abilities. Whereas Ukraine already had a reasonable night fighting capability with early 1st and 2nd Gen scopes and around ~1000 vehicles that made use of 2nd Gen thermals and over 4000 vehicles that made use of 2nd and 3rd Gen night vision.
But the biggest factor was since 2015 to 2022 tens of thousands of 3rd, and 4th gen NVGs for helmets and rifles along with 1st and 2nd Gen thermal scopes for the same thing was given by Western countries to Ukraine including AN/AVS-9, AN/PVS-18, AN/PVS-14, GPNVG-18, NVM14-2, BNVD-51, PVS-31, OB70, ATNI X-Sight, LTV 5-15X, ATNI Mars, RNVG Echo, DTNVS, Brolis etc.
https://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ukraine-obama-putin-russia-216160
When both sides have capable night fighting abilities then there is no benefit to utilising night ops hence why we see most of the fighting take place during the day.
Here's a fun little exercise. Look at these
“American soldiers are running so low on supplies they have to use homemade carts”
“Embarrassment for bushs war effort as his battered troops seek to reactivate WWII era vehicles”
“American army has lost so many vehicles it has to use bicycles”
“Shambles as American troops resort go using WWII guns after losing so many”
“Bush's army time travels to 1940s with shocking display, unbelievable armour losses has Americans renovating WWII tanks”
“Humiliation for Bush as sanctions and Eastern air defence systems cripple air force so much that he has to bring out 1960s jets”
“American army is falling apart, sanctions cripple their food supply, American soldiers seen making homemade grills for stolen food due to food shortages”
"American electronics shame, bush's conscripts forced to strip xbox 360s for parts amid crippling electronic shortages due to sanctions"
"The American army is in shambles, soldiers seen wearing body armour made of cheap fabric"
"Shocking scene, American conscripts forced to sleep on ground amid dire logistic shortages"
"The most powerful army in the world forced to sleep outside amid shortages"
“Utter shame for Bush as his depleted forces forced to use WWII tank”
“gun shortages has bushes soldiers use vietnam era snipers”
“greatest army in the world reduced to using rusty homemade gun trucks after catastrophic armour losses”
“sanctions cripple us weapons american soldiers have to use homemade anti tank weapons"
“humiliation for bush as his broken troops resorting to adding plates because of poor quality body armour"
You see how easy it is for people to turn some soldiers fucking around into a non existent story or just make up bull shit, and i GUARANTEE that if this was Russia, 90% of westerners would believe it without question.
Propaganda my friend, it's a powerful tool.
"Okay then so I guess Russian propaganda doesn't exist"
That's false. Below are examples of genuine Russian propaganda
They just lie about su57 destroying f16
https://youtube.com/shorts/OFKXO3uhQjU?si=WTwIiDpwtSNv5-ug
Use fake video to say hospital attack was not Russia
https://youtu.be/c9xZvyCMZXU?si=s-ocUNhDHy-JNgrv
Pure copium about the 2022 counter offensive
https://youtu.be/stgKKzG3kwo?si=S7GuVfatiN9AG8Zd
https://youtu.be/JoroqK1QuCA?si=V7f7cHRTsk5OHawQ
Other examples include
Ukraine commited genocide in donbas
Bucha was a false flag
Kharkov offensive in 2022 was a chosen strategic retreat (not a forced strategic retreat)
Everybody in donbas supports Russia
Everyone in Ukraine hates their government
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