Russian BMP‑3 crew mistakenly destroys their own BMP‑2 in Kursk
A recording of one of the clashes between Ukrainians and Russians in the Kursk region has surfaced online. It reveals a significant error made by the Russians manning a BMP-3 vehicle, who accidentally destroyed a BMP-2 fighting on their own side instead of targeting a Ukrainian vehicle.
Friendly fire usually occurs when targets are mistakenly identified as hostile. According to observers and military analysts on social media, this also seems to be the case here. This is somewhat surprising because, as seen in the footage, both Russian vehicles were very close to each other.
Russian friendly fire
The crew of the Russian BMP-3 attacked and consequently destroyed their friendly BMP-2. Meanwhile, Kozak, a Ukrainian light armoured vehicle with a 4×4 drive, calmly moved to a safe location. The incident took place in the village of Ruskaya Konopelka.
The BMP-2 is an infantry fighting vehicle from the 1980s. It was often used by the Russians during the war with Ukraine, not only within its territory but also in clashes in the Kursk region. It can hold up to 11 people (three crew members and a maximum of eight troops). Due to its weak armour, the BMP-2 is nearly 7 metres long and weighs approximately 14,000 kilograms.
Russian combat vehicles
The Russians have significantly improved durability in the newer BMP-3. Produced since the 1980s, this infantry fighting vehicle is similar in length but significantly heavier, weighing about 19,000 kilograms. It has stronger armour, providing the crew with a much higher chance of survival in the event of an enemy attack, and offers a better arsenal.
The BMP-3 is equipped with a low-pressure 100 mm cannon capable of firing fragmentation shells or 9K116 Bastion anti-tank guided missiles. It also features a 30 mm cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun. Its tracked drive and approximately 500-kilowatt engine allow it to reach a maximum speed of about 70 kilometres per hour.
The problems and increasing disorientation of the Russians fighting in the Kursk region resulted from the well-organized Ukrainian operations, which employed a diverse arsenal. Elite Ukrainian brigades have been deployed to operations on Russian territory, equipped with gear from NATO countries. Social media reports have already shown American Stryker armoured vehicles, Oncilla armoured personnel carriers, and the PT-91 Twardy tank from Poland, as well as HIMARS artillery.
