Ukrainian forces hold ground against odds in Kursk region
Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region are effectively holding their ground despite the numerical superiority of the Russians and North Koreans. One of the key means of defence is portable large-calibre machine guns. We present their performance and the concept behind them.
The Ukrainians have deployed elite units in the Kursk region, which are adept at repelling attacks by Russian or North Korean soldiers. The latter are particularly more dangerous than they seem because they compensate for equipment shortages with sheer motivation.
Many recordings show how Kim's soldiers charge in masses, through open terrain or minefields, disregarding losses caused by drones, mines, or artillery and mortar fire. This, combined with good shooting training, makes them dangerous opponents if they manage to reach the Ukrainian trenches.
For this reason, the best form of defence against them is to eliminate them as far from one's own positions as possible. At longer distances, mortars or drones are ideal, and at shorter distances, machine guns with greater range capable of penetrating potential cover such as trees or walls of trenches or buildings are preferred. The last category is ideally fulfilled by modified large-calibre machine guns in 12.7x108 mm such as the DSzKM shown in the photo and video below.
When the firepower of an ordinary machine gun is not enough
Large-calibre machine guns DSzK/DSzKM are weapons whose origins date back to the late 1930s. They are powered by powerful 12.7x108 mm cartridges providing an effective range of over 1.6 kilometres.
Until recently, these weapons were reserved for vehicles due to their weight of around 35 kilograms, but the insufficiency of standard machine guns like the PK/PKM using 7.62x54R mm ammunition or the MG5 using 7.62x51 mm NATO created a need for something with greater firepower.
Although the declared range for the above constructions is about 1.6 kilometres, this only applies to open terrain, as any form of protection such as an earth mound or a wall fragment will provide protection at a distance of even hundreds of metres.
Simply put, a fired bullet weighing 9-13 grams with a muzzle energy exceeding 3,000 joules has its limits compared to, for example, a 12.7 mm bullet weighing 48 grams characterized by a muzzle energy of over 16,000 joules. It is a practically identical force as is the case with large-calibre anti-material rifles like the PGW LRT-3, though with reduced precision.
Even the world's best ballistic plate can't protect against it, nor can the wall of a typical building. Additionally, even the side armour of Russian infantry fighting vehicles from the BMD and BMP series and BTR transporters is insufficient when loaded with armour-piercing ammunition.
Portable DSzKM — a two-metre giant
Large-calibre machine guns DSzK/DSzKM equipped with a stock, bipod, and large muzzle brake measure over 2 metres in length, with 1 metre dedicated to the barrel alone. The muzzle brake reduces felt recoil by about 50 percent, although deviations to one side or the other are possible as a result of redirecting propellant gas energy in the opposite direction.
This is complemented by a pistol grip with a traditional trigger mechanism replacing the electric trigger used in tanks, and often, an additional rail for mounting optical or optoelectronic sights is added. It is also seen that the stocks used often have a cheek pad and a thick layer of rubber or other material on the butt plate.
