Ukrainian mechanized brigade leverages American IFV in Donetsk raiders

The famous Ukrainian 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade continues to raid Russian positions in the Donetsk region. The American M2A2 Bradley ODS infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is the critical vehicle enabling these raids' relatively safe conduct.

The 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade has been continuously fighting in the Donetsk region, and it is one of the most effective Ukrainian units. Recently, a video of an M2A2 Bradley ODS IFV raid on Russian positions in the treeline near Pokrovsk, which became the invaders' target after capturing Avdiivka, surfaced online.

The video below shows the M2A2 Bradley ODS firing at Russian positions from approximately 100-200 metres with its 25 mm main gun. Upon hitting the target, these rounds have a destructive force comparable to a grenade.

The Ukrainians received several hundred M2A2 Bradley ODS IFVs, a 1990s variant stemming from Operation "Desert Storm." Compared to the A2 variant from the 1980s, this vehicle received a new laser rangefinder and new-generation thermal imaging optoelectronics.

The M2A2 Bradley is an IFV weighing 27,200 kilograms. Three soldiers operate it and can carry a six-person assault team. The M2A2 Bradley effectively protects and supports the crew due to its strong armour and substantial firepower. The vehicle's armour provides protection against fire from large-calibre machine guns KPW 14.5×114 mm and 2A42 automatic cannons 30 mm (from the front). After adding BRAT reactive armour blocks, it can withstand fire from handheld anti-tank weapons.

These fully cover critical parts of the IFV and the crew compartment, so even hits from FPV drones (which usually carry PG-7VL grenades and can penetrate 500 mm of steel armour) do not cause catastrophic effects. There have been cases of several drones hitting Bradleys without significant damage or immobilizing them, where the crew survived and was evacuated by another IFV. The same cannot be said for post-Soviet BMPs, where a hit from similar weapons often means the death of everyone inside.

The M2A2 Bradley IFV's weaponry allows it to combat a wide range of targets, from infantry to tanks. The primary weapon is the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm automatic cannon, which has a 200 rounds/min firing rate and an effective range of about 2 kilometres. It can fire armour-piercing or M792 HEI-T high-explosive incendiary ammunition.

The M792 HEI-T ammunition contains a projectile weighing 190 grams, about 30 grams of which are robust RDX explosive material. The rest includes a steel body that serves as a fragmentation source and incendiary material. The projectile's lethal range is a few metres, and the tracer, or burning material at the back of the projectile, provides visual feedback to the gunner regarding where it hits, making it easier to adjust fire.

Additionally, the M2A2 Bradley is equipped with a dual launcher for BGM-71F (TOW 2B) anti-tank guided missiles, allowing it to destroy tanks at distances up to 3.7 kilometres. However, this system is an older generation and requires the missile to be guided until it hits the target. It can only be used when stationary.