Russian advances stall as Ukrainian forces wreak havoc in Kursk
The Russians, despite some successes in the Kursk region, have stalled near the village of Zelenyj Szlyak. The main road providing support and supplies is regularly shelled by the Ukrainians, resulting in dozens of wrecked Russian vehicles worth millions of dollars.
The Russians have positioned themselves between Ukrainian forces near the village of Zelenyj Szlyak but have made no further advances for a week. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians, still holding the flanks, are shelling the only two roads available to the Russians during the rainy season.
The road is being targeted by artillery, drone operators, and M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles from the 47th Mechanized Brigade in the area. Consequently, the road is strewn with wrecked equipment valued at tens of millions of dollars. The 155th Naval Infantry Brigade of the Pacific Fleet has suffered the most significant losses.
The road of death in the Kursk region — here's what the Russians lost
Most lost vehicles are BMP family infantry fighting vehicles and even lighter armoured BMDs designed for parachute drops. The BMP/BMD-1 version has a low-pressure 73 mm gun capable of firing fragmentation and shaped-charge projectiles.
Newer BMP/BMD-2 versions received a 30 mm automatic cannon, which is a much more versatile weapon. Additionally, an anti-tank guided missile launcher is usually added for combating vehicles. These types of vehicles typically accompany tanks, a few wrecks of which can also be observed.
Armour is a serious issue as only the front plate can withstand a machine gun loaded with armour-piercing ammunition. Meanwhile, the sides can be penetrated by any heavy machine gun of calibre 12.7 mm, and depending on the distance, even by FN FAL or MG3. It is worth noting that the steel armour of the BMP series vehicles offers more protection than the aluminum alloy of the airborne BMDs. The unit cost of such vehicles is several hundred thousand dollars.
In addition, the recording also shows general-purpose armoured vehicles GAZ Tigr has produced since 2005. They only provide protection against small arms fire from weapons like AK rifles and artillery shell fragments.
There are also 3-STS Achmat vehicles produced exclusively for Kadyrov's forces, based on the Ural-4320 truck with a 6x6 configuration, which is supposed to be armored to withstand fire from heavy machine guns of calibre 12.7 mm or an anti-tank mine, similar to MRAP-type vehicles like Typhoon.
